Shat Chandi Yagya for ‘world peace’ concludes
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The nine-day Navratri festival saw more than four lakh pilgrims offering prayers at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district, an official said on Monday.
“An average of 40,000 pilgrims are paying their obeisance daily and over four lakh pilgrims have visited the holy shrine since the onset of Navratri. During the nine-day long Shardiya Navratras last year, about 3.15 lakh pilgrims had visited the holy shrine,” a spokesperson of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) said after the conclusion of the nine-day long Shat Chandi Maha Yagya for world peace, harmony, prosperity and health of humanity concluded on the auspicious occasion of Mahanavami.
Anshul Garg, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, other officers and staff of the Shrine Board, besides pilgrims participated in Purna Ahuti and other religious ceremonies performed amidst Vedic Mantras on the occasion.
A group of Pandits led by Padma Shri Prof. Vishwamurti Shastri, performed the Maha Yagya.
The special additions to the pilgrimage during these Navratras included Skywalk, remodelled Parvati Bhawan, Virtual Darshan through the Holy Natural Cave and free Langar Sewa at Shri Bhairon Ji Temple Complex, besides the ‘Live Darshan Facility’ and Bi-lingual “Shakti” chatbot on the website of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for the pilgrims. These initiatives are aimed at making the pilgrimage more convenient and enjoyable for the devotees.
The pilgrimage has been increasing every month as the Shrine Board is encouraging pilgrims by further adding on state- of- the-art facilities. Pertinent to mention that the Sky walk inaugurated by President, Droupadi Murmu on 12th October, played a pivotal role in the yatra management during these Navratras and achieved the desired aim of decongesting the Bhawan area by streamlining the entry and exit routes to the holy cave.
The Board had also made impressive and elaborate arrangements for the pilgrims during Navratras. These include decoration of the Bhawan of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji, Atka and the area surrounding it with exquisite flowers, round the clock water and power supply all along the tracks leading to the Shrine and in the Bhawan area besides up keeping of sanitation and sanitisation, availability of special “fast related” food at the Board’s Bhojanalyas. The illumination of the Bhawan area with attractive and colourful lights was also done. For the ease and comfort of pilgrims, facilities like the accommodation, battery operated vehicles, passenger ropeway and helicopter services were also operated smoothly. The Shrine Board also made arrangements for free food for the pilgrims at Tarakote Marg and Prasad Kendra at Sanjichhat, besides free Langar Sewa at Bhairon Ji.
Other highlights during these Navratras were Bhajan and Bhaint performances during morning and evening Atka Aarti by the renowned artists like Himesh Reshammiya, Mika Singh, Lakhwinder Wadali, Maithili Thakur, Mani Ladla, Kaler Kanth, Kumar Vishu besides budding students of SMVD Gurukul.
