Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Jammu, July 25: The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra resumed on Saturday after remaining suspended for six consecutive days, bringing relief to thousands of devotees who had been waiting to undertake the sacred pilgrimage. Although continuous rainfall is still affecting the Katra region of Jammu and Kashmir, the annual pilgrimage has restarted following a comprehensive review of the prevailing weather conditions and the safety of the pilgrimage route.

Despite the persistent rain, the pilgrimage is progressing smoothly under the close supervision of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and security agencies. Thousands of pilgrims have begun their journey towards the revered shrine, with authorities making elaborate arrangements to ensure their safety and convenience throughout the route.

The yatra had been suspended for the past six days due to heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions, which raised concerns over the safety of devotees travelling along the mountainous pilgrimage route. Following an overall assessment of the weather situation and the condition of the track, authorities decided that it was safe to allow the pilgrimage to resume.

Officials have advised all pilgrims to remain cautious while undertaking the journey, strictly follow the guidelines issued by the administration, and avoid venturing into vulnerable or high-risk areas along the route. They have also urged devotees to remain alert to weather advisories and cooperate with officials deployed across the pilgrimage track.

To ensure the smooth and safe movement of pilgrims, emergency response teams, medical personnel, and disaster management staff have been stationed throughout the yatra route. These teams are prepared to provide immediate assistance in case of any emergency arising from the continuing rainfall or other unforeseen circumstances.

Security agencies are maintaining constant surveillance along the pilgrimage route while monitoring weather conditions around the clock. Officials said that all necessary precautionary measures have been put in place to ensure that devotees can complete the pilgrimage safely despite the challenging weather.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra is one of India's most revered Hindu pilgrimages, attracting millions of devotees every year. The successful resumption of the pilgrimage has brought relief and happiness to thousands of pilgrims, many of whom had been waiting for several days after the yatra was suspended because of heavy rain. Authorities have reiterated that they will continue to monitor the weather closely and take all necessary steps to safeguard the well-being of devotees throughout the pilgrimage.