Vaishno Devi Yatra Suspended for 20th Day Amid Heavy Rains in Jammu and Kashmir
The popular Vaishno Devi pilgrimage in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, stayed closed on Sunday for the 20th straight day because of tough weather. Heavy rains have made the trek risky, so the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) decided to postpone the restart until further notice.
Devotees were hoping to resume the yatra today, but nonstop downpours at the Bhawan area and along the track forced the delay. The board shared an update on social media platform X, urging pilgrims to check official channels for the latest news. "Due to incessant rain at Bhawan and the track, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra scheduled from September 14 stands postponed till further orders. Devotees, please stay updated through our official communications," the post said.
Earlier, the shrine board thanked everyone for their patience during this temporary halt. They highlighted how restarting the yatra shows the strength of faith and promised to keep the pilgrimage safe and respectful.
Safety comes first here—constant rains have caused landslides and blocked paths to the holy shrine, putting pilgrims in danger. Even the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway faces issues with multiple blockages from slides and road damage, making travel harder.
This long suspension has left many devotees disappointed, especially after the yatra kicked off strong this season with over 10 lakh visitors in the first few days. Local shops and businesses around Katra, which rely on the influx of pilgrims for the Vaishno Devi trek, are struggling too without the usual crowds.
The trouble started on August 26 when a deadly landslide hit near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkuwari, midway on the 12-km route from Katra to the shrine. It happened around 3 pm during heavy showers, killing 34 people and injuring others. Since then, bad weather has kept the Vaishno Devi Yatra suspended, affecting thousands who visit this sacred site every year.
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and will announce when it’s safe to resume. For now, stay tuned to SMVDSB updates if you’re planning a trip to Vaishno Devi.
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