Shatchandi Yagya performed, Langar Sewa launched at Adhkuwari
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Amid multi-tier security arrangements, the nine-day-long festival of Navratri began with religious fervor, as over 45,000 pilgrims undertake the pilgrimage daily to pay obeisance at the cave shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi in the Trikuta hills.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), which manages the yatra, has started new registration counters at the Katra railway station to ease the process for the pilgrims in light of the expected influx during the Navratri period.
The Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra has been adorned with indigenous and foreign flowers, and large pandals have been set up in the Bhawan area for the auspicious occasion.
“I congratulate all the devotees on the occasion of Shardiya Navratri. We welcome them here and hope that thousands of pilgrims from across the globe will come to pay their obeisance,” Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Anshul Garg told reporters.
He assured that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure a comfortable and peaceful yatra for the pilgrims.
“There has been a heavy rush of pilgrims since yesterday with over 45,000 devotees registered and we expect a similar footfall today,” he added.
Multi-tier security measures have been implemented to ensure an incident-free yatra.
“Police, CRPF and Shrine Board security personnel have been deployed along the track from Katra to Bhawan. Elaborate security arrangements have been made following a full review,” Garg said.
In response to the heavy rush of pilgrims, crowd management systems integrated with CCTV and RFID surveillance systems have been put in place.
“As many as 650 CCTV cameras are active with integrated cards to monitor all movements and a skywalk has been introduced for crowd management,” he said.
Additionally, a new langar will be set up at Ardh Kuwari to provide facilities for the pilgrims, supplementing the three major langars already in place.
The CEO said the board has taken additional initiatives this year.
“We are launching registration counters at Katra railway station, which will start functioning from tomorrow. Eight such counters are operational now,” Garg added.
Thousands of devotees are enthusiastically undertaking the pilgrimage, viewing it as a chance to seek the blessings of Mata Vaishnodevi during Navratri.
At Bhawan, prayers marked the onset of the nine-day Shardiya Navratri festival.
Meanwhile, in its endeavour to enhance the overall pilgrimage experience, SMVDSB has launched a free Langar Sewa at Adhkuwari Complex after commencement of Shardiya Navratras.
Anshul Garg, CEO, inaugurated the Langar Sewa facility at Adhkuwari Complex, as per the directions of Manoj Sinha, Chairman, SMVDSB (Lt. Governor) in the presence of Vipan Bhagat, Asstt. CEO, other officers and employees, besides a large number of pilgrims.
Following a sacred Pooja at the site, the Langar facility commenced operations marking the fourth such initiative by the Board. Furthering its mission to serve devotees, this addition joins existing Langar Sewa facilities at Tarakote Marg, Sanjichhat, and Bhairon Ji, which have garnered widespread appreciation from devotees for providing nourishing meals as Prasad aiming to provide complimentary meals to a vast number of pilgrims during their pilgrimage to the revered Shrine.
Located on the terrace of Sheetla Bhawan at Adhkuwari Complex, the Langar facility can cater around 150 pilgrims simultaneously while offering a clean and welcoming space.
Earlier, marking the beginning of Shardiya Navratras, the Chief Executive Officer attended the inaugural ceremony of the nine-day long Shatchandi Yagya at the Holy Shrine amidst the vedic hymns, religious chants and performance of other religious ceremonies being organized for peace, prosperity and well-being of humanity which will conclude with Purna Ahuti on Mahanavami.The Yagya ceremony is being telecasted live on MH1 Shradha from 12:00 Noon to 1:30 PM daily during Navratras.
The SMVDSB has beautifully transformed the Bhawan, Atka and surrounding areas into a radiant spiritual oasis for warmly welcoming pilgrims visiting to pay obeisance at the sacred Shrine. The grand decorations feature an exquisite blend of indigenous and foreign fruits, flowers, majestic reception doors and elegantly designed track besides, the Bhawan area has been illuminated with stunning colorful façade lights, creating a mesmerizing ambiance for devotees.
The SMVDSB has also made elaborate arrangements for facilitating a large number of pilgrims who are expected to pay their obeisance at the Sanctum Sanctorum during Navratras, which include round the clock water and power supply all along the tracks leading to the Shrine, sanitation, medicare and availability of special “fast related” food at the Board’s Bhojanalayas. Besides, all the routes leading to the Holy Cave Shrine are fully maintained for smooth movement of pilgrims.In addition, as per policy in vogue, SMVDSB has been facilitating Divyang pilgrims with free pony, battery car services & darshan assistance and 24/7 Call Centre (18001807212) has also been made available to facilitate the pilgrims as an additional support. As part of the Navratras celebrations, SMVDSB has also lined up captivating Bhajan and Bhaint performances by acclaimed artists during morning and evening Atka arti.