A remarkable wave of religious enthusiasm marked the commencement of the sacred Shardiya Navratri festival across major pilgrimage centres in Jammu. From early morning, vast gatherings of devotees arrived in Katra to offer prayers at the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The Katra base camp witnessed large assemblies of pilgrims preparing for the trek. Significant crowds gathered around registration counters to collect mandatory RFID cards before starting the journey, while extended queues formed at Darshani Deodi, the traditional gateway marking the ascent up the holy hills.
Divine Illuminations Across Trikuta Hills
Nestled amid the Trikuta hills, the sanctum of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi has been adorned with elaborate lighting installations, transforming the surrounding slopes into a brilliant and uplifting setting. The festival's opening day coincided with Sunday, leading to a substantial surge in visitor footfall. A temple priest observed that the weekend timing drew an especially heavy rush, adding that massive pilgrim turnout is anticipated throughout the nine-day festive period.
Festive Fervour Grips Sukrala Mata Temple
A similarly vibrant devotional atmosphere unfolded in Kathua district, where worshippers gathered in large numbers at the historic Sukrala Mata temple situated in Billawar. The entire temple premises were embellished with fresh fruits and seasonal flowers to mark the occasion. Local authorities instituted multi-tiered security cordons alongside essential civic amenities to smoothly handle the steady influx of pilgrims visiting the shrine.
Administrative Arrangements in Place
Highlighting the preparations for the influx, Billawar Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Vishavjeet Singh stated, "This time we have made every possible effort to completely beautify and decorate Mata's sanctum sanctorum. We are fully prepared to welcome the pilgrims so that they can come here and seek the blessings of Mata Sukrala in this holy temple." Multi-layered security checks and municipal support systems remain active to ensure a hassle-free pilgrimage experience for all visitors.
