Come Navratri — the festival spanning nine nights to honour Goddess Durga — devotees flock to Vaishno Devi. Nestled atop Trikuta hills in Jammu & Kashmir, the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine is the second most visited Hindu pilgrimage destination in India. This Navratri, over three lakh pilgrims are expected to visit Vaishno Devi.
Vaishno Devi To Welcome Over 3 Lakh Devotees For Navratri
According to an article by Live Mint, over three lakh devotees are expected to travel to Vaishno Devi for Navratri. Anticipating the large pilgrim traffic, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has made the necessary arrangements to accommodate them. This includes installing 120 CCTV cameras. it also involves implementing RFID ( radio frequency identification) card system for crowd management.
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CCTV Cameras For Safety & Selfie Points To Create Memories
The RFID card system involves real-time tracking of pilgrims. This ensures their safety and helps Vaishno Devi regulate the crowd better. Anshul Garg, the Chief Executive Officer of SMVDSB revealed to Live Mint about the preparations in store to welcome devotees. This year, Vaishno Devi will have special selfie points, on the way to the cave shrine. Pilgrims can stop for scenic selfies on the mountain route to the revered shrine.
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Special Amenities For Specially Challenged Devotees
For specially challenged devotees, Vaishno Devi offers free access to horses and battery-powered cars. This will make travel to the shrine, a hassle-free affair for specially challenged devotees. Moreover, they will also get priority darshan at the sanctum sanctorum.
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Vaishno Devi To Host Special Events For Navratri
Garg further added that the shrine shall organise 14 different activities ranging from Mata ki Kahani play, wrestling competition to a Kavi Sammelan. Devotees can watch these events from September 26 to October 4. So, devotees at Vaishno Devi are truly in for a treat this Navratri.
So, are you planning to visit this revered pilgrim destination this Navratri? Let us know in the comments below.
News Source: Live Mint
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons