Devouts would cheer lustily that Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra would resume after five months from today.
For the first time in the history of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, no pilgrim visited the holy cave shrine since March 20 this year. Be it hotels, restaurants, shops, roads all bore a deserted look as could be gathered by the image with this article.
Due to Covid-19 pandemic, authorities had clamped down on all religious places, including Amarnath yatra. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra pilgrimage, situated at the Trikuta Hills in Reasi district, 64km from Jammu, too was shut down to contain the spread of the virus.
There are of course guidelines for the pilgrims and action is cautioned against those who flout it.
The new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) states that only 5,000 devotees each day would be allowed until September 30.
However, only 500 devotees each day, outside the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir would be permitted.
It is mandatory to get bookings done online before you hit the roads to darshan.
Further,
a-Every devotee must install and use the Arogya Setu App;
b-Devotees would not be allowed to touch the idols, books or any other sculpture;
c-Every devotee must wear a mask and strictly follow the social-distancing rules;
d-People above the age of 60 and below 10 have been advised against visiting the shrine;
e-Pilgrims from outside Jammu and Kashmir would have to mandatorily undergo the Covid-19 antigen testing and shall be allowed beyond Katra only if the result is negative;
f-The same rule would apply to those coming from the red zone of the Union Territory
The holy cae of Mata Vaishno Devi is situated at an altitude of 5200 feet and about 12 kilometres away from base camp in Katra.
(Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board helpline number is: 01991234053)
