Before Durga Puja, suspense remains intact about the journey of Goddess Vaishno Devi, when will this holy journey start? Vaishno Devi Yatra was postponed on 26 August after heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir and landslides in Ardhkunwari.

On the occasion of Durga Puja, a large number of devotees from all over the country travel for the Vaishno Devi temple located in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, but this time the rain has eclipsed the plan. Durga Puja will start from September 28 and end on 2 October 2025.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board wants to start the journey as soon as possible, but the weather in Jammu and Kashmir has created difficulties.

Waiting for next date!

After the postponement of the yatra on 26 August, on September 12, the Shrine Board said that the journey can start if the weather is fine from September 14. But then due to the rains, the board said on September 13, “The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra starting on 14 September (Sunday) has been postponed till further orders due to continuous rains on the building and the journey route. Devotees are requested to wait for the next official order.

A group of pilgrims protested at the Katra base camp in Reasi district on Sunday (14 September) amidst posting pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi temple located on Trikuta hills. Actually, these devotees reached Katra in the hope of starting the journey.

Devotees disappointed

According to the news agency PTI, Rajiv Lodhi, a resident of Madhya Pradesh, said, “I have reached Katra for the last two months and I want to pray in the temple as soon as possible.” Vinod Kumar of Chennai said that I came to know that the yatra has been postponed again, due to which all the people present here are disappointed.

Rekha of Mumbai, who is looking emotional, said, “We do not know anything and we are going to complete our journey, no matter what we have to do for it.” He asked that if the journey has been postponed, then why online registration has been started.

The pilgrimage was adjourned on 26 August after a landslide at Ardhkunwari on the Vaishno Devi Yatra track. In this accident, 34 pilgrims were killed and 20 others were injured.

How many devotees have traveled so far

The longest time since Kovid-19 is the longest time when Vaishno Devi Yatra has been suspended. This year 14 lakh 50 thousand 355 devotees have traveled. At the same time, in the year 2024, about 95 lakh devotees worshiped Mata Vaishno Devi.

The pilgrimage of Mata Vaishno Devi temple located on the Trikuta hills of Jammu is also postponed on Wednesday (September 3). Meanwhile, landslide occurred in the summer point on the track of going to the temple. However, no pilgrims were present at the time of the incident, so no life was damaged nor any injured.

In view of landslides and heavy rains on Mata Vaishno Devi temple route located in Reasi district, arrangements have also been vacated by precautionary officials.

Katra base camp deserted

The Katra base camp appears to be completely deserted in the absence of devotees due to the pilgrimage of Vaishno Devi temple being suspended.

The Meteorological Department said on Wednesday (3 September) that the base camp of Vaishno Devi temple recorded more than 200 mm of rain during the last 24 hours, which is the highest in Jammu region.

A big accident took place on 26 August

The pilgrimage of Vaishno Devi was stopped on 26 August. However, the temple is open and its priests are doing prayers and rituals daily. On August 26, there was a big landslide due to rain on the old route near Ardhkunwari. In this accident, 34 devotees were killed and 20 others were injured.

Some pilgrims, who have reached Katra due to the postponement of the pilgrimage, are offering prayers at ‘Darshani Deodhi’ (the main entrance of the temple). Pramod, a devotee from Nagpur in Maharashtra, said in a conversation with the news agency PTI, “I had booked aircraft, train and hotel tickets about three months ago to offer prayers in the temple. But the pilgrimage is postponed, so I am offering prayers here (Darshani Deodhi) before returning home.

When will the journey start?

Due to continuous rains, the water level in rivers and drains, Banganga river has increased. Banganga passes through Jammu. Officials said that the decision to resume the yatra would be taken when the situation will improve and the barrier for the devotees on the 12 -km long double route to this temple on the hill would be removed.

This is the longest time ever since the Kovid-19 sanctions when the journey has been suspended. In the year 2024, about 95 lakh devotees worshiped Mata Vaishno Devi. That is, on average 26,027 per day. Devotees donated Rs 172 crore in FY 2024-25 (till January).