Devotees Throng Katra and Billawar Shrines as Shardiya Navratri Begins with Fervour Massive queues of pilgrims formed at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and the historic Sukrala Mata temple on the first day of Shardiya Navratri. 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. What this means for you The surge of devotees during Navratri requires pilgrims to plan their itinerary and scheduling with extra care. • Across India: Devotees travelling from across the country to Vaishno Devi should factor in substantial buffer time for transit and registration. Transportation options and hotel accommodations in Katra may face tight availability due to the holiday rush. • In Katra: Substantial queues are actively forming at local RFID counters and the Darshani Deodi entry checkpoint. Pilgrims should collect their mandatory RFID access cards early to avoid compounding delays before the mountain climb. • In Billawar: Devotees headed to the Sukrala Mata shrine will encounter multi-layered security cordons and municipal facilities managed by local authorities. Adhering to local vehicular advisories will help ensure smooth movement toward the sanctum. • Wait Times: The confluence of Sunday and the festive opening indicates significantly longer queuing hours than on routine days. Travellers accompanied by senior citizens or young children should schedule climbs outside peak crowd windows. Why this happened The heavy surge of worshippers across both revered shrines was driven by the festive launch combined with weekend holiday timing. • Beginning of Shardiya Navratri: The inaugural day of Shardiya Navratri carries deep religious importance, motivating thousands of devotees to seek blessings at prominent Shaktipeeths immediately. This traditional devotion triggered immediate surges at major shrines. • Weekend Timing: The festival's first day falling on a Sunday created a strong weekend overlap that encouraged higher turnout. A temple priest highlighted that the Sunday schedule directly fueled the substantial surge in Katra. • Festive Decorations and Readiness: Extensive floral adornments, ambient lighting across the Trikuta hills, and administrative readiness drew large crowds. Special beautification efforts at the Billawar sanctum also encouraged pilgrims to visit Sukrala Mata temple. Questions & Answers 1. What mandatory item must devotees obtain before beginning the Vaishno Devi trek in Katra? Devotees must collect an RFID access card from the designated registration counters before embarking on the ascent. 2. Which entry point marks the start of the climb to the Vaishno Devi shrine? Darshani Deodi serves as the traditional gateway where long queues form to begin the uphill journey. 3. Why was there an exceptionally large rush at the Vaishno Devi shrine on day one? The opening day of Shardiya Navratri coincided with a Sunday, drawing an unusually high volume of weekend pilgrims. 4. Which historic shrine in Kathua district witnessed heavy crowds during the festival? The historic Sukrala Mata temple in Billawar saw large gatherings of worshippers on the first day of the festival. 5. What did local authorities say regarding arrangements at the Sukrala Mata temple? Billawar ADC Vishavjeet Singh stated that every effort was made to beautify the sanctum sanctorum and welcome pilgrims seeking blessings. https://trendkia.com/en/jammu-kashmir/devotees-throng-katra-and-billawar-shrines-as-shardiya-navratri-begins-with-fervour-46271 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.