In Jammu and Kashmir, despite rain and bitter cold, thousands of devotees trekked along the winding path to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi on the Trikuta Hills in the Reasi district on the first day of Navratri on Thursday, chanting "Jai Mata Di" as they sought blessings from the deity. An Akashvani Jammu correspondent reports that the Reasi district experienced a large influx of pilgrims, with approximately 15,000 devotees seeking the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi on the first day of Chaitra Navratri. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also visited the revered shrine, joining thousands of devotees who thronged the cave. He offered prayers for peace, prosperity, and well-being as the 9-day festival began with intense spiritual fervor across the region. "Visited the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine on the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Navratri. Prayed for peace, prosperity, happiness, and well-being for all," the LG wrote on his X handle. The pilgrimage proceeded smoothly thanks to the elaborate arrangements made by the administration and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. Multi-layered security, involving police, paramilitary forces, and the Army, was in place, supported by 24-hour surveillance via CCTV and integrated monitoring systems. Authorities also strengthened crowd management measures, including RFID tracking and regulated movement along the path from Katra to the Bhawan, to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims. Registration facilities were expanded, and essential services such as sanitation, water supply, food distribution, and medical aid were enhanced to accommodate the increased number of pilgrims. The shrine and its surroundings were decorated with vibrant lights and floral arrangements. Officials expect a sustained influx of 20,000 to 30,000 pilgrims daily during the festival period, highlighting the shrine's importance as one of the country's main spiritual destinations. Meanwhile, similar scenes of devotion were witnessed at other temples across the region, including the Bahu Fort, where long queues of devotees were seen at the Bawe Wali Mata temple.