In Jammu and Kashmir, despite rain and cold weather, 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 yesterday, to pay their respects to the deity. The Reasi district saw 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 the thousands of devotees who had gathered at the cave. He offered prayers for peace, prosperity, and well-being as the nine-day festival began with intense spiritual fervor across the region yesterday.
The pilgrimage proceeded smoothly thanks to the elaborate arrangements made by the administration and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. A multi-layered security system involving the police, paramilitary forces, and the Army was in place, supported by 24-hour surveillance through 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 visitors.
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 significance as one of the country's main spiritual destinations. Similar scenes of devotion were observed at other temples across the region, including the Bahu Fort, where long queues of devotees were seen at the Bawe Wali Mata temple.