Vaishno Devi Yatra Stalled by Deadly Landslide, Will the Goddess’ Door Reopen on October 8?

National news:  According to reports from Jammu, the Vaishno Devi Yatra will remain suspended from October 5 to 7. The Shrine Board shared this update on social media. The Meteorological Department had issued warnings of heavy rain and bad weather. Considering safety, the journey has been paused. From October 8, devotees will be allowed to resume their pilgrimage.

Advisory Issued For Devotees

The Shrine Board has appealed to pilgrims to stay updated only through official channels. People have been asked not to believe in false information. Authorities urged travelers not to attempt the pilgrimage during these weather conditions. The administration made it clear that safety remains the top priority.

Tragedy Happened Earlier Too

On August 26, a major landslide occurred on the Katra–temple route due to extreme weather. More than 35 pilgrims lost their lives, and over ten were injured. The administration had to suspend the pilgrimage then as well. The incident created panic among devotees across the region.

Hotels Were Evacuated

After the landslide, authorities ordered several hotels and lodges in Katra to be evacuated. Pilgrims were shifted to safer locations. It took many days for the situation to stabilize. Locals say that such risks increase whenever the weather turns harsh.

Questions Raised On Officials

After the landslide, the Shrine Board faced sharp criticism. Even Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary held the Shrine Board officials responsible for negligence. People alleged that safety measures were not properly prepared for pilgrims. The issue placed the administration under serious public scrutiny.

High-Level Probe Ordered

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha set up a high-level probe committee three days after the landslide. The panel was tasked to investigate the incident near Ardhkuwari and recommend safety measures. The administration assured stronger steps to avoid such disasters in the future.

Hope Of Devotees

Devotees believe suspending the yatra is the right decision as lives are most precious. However, they demand permanent safety arrangements from the Shrine Board and the government. All eyes are now on October 8, when the Vaishno Devi Yatra will restart with renewed faith.