One of the most popular pilgrimage sites in India, the Vaishno Devi, in Jammu and Kashmir, opened doors to devotees on August 16, 2020, after being shut for around five months due to coronavirus. All pilgrims from containment zones and outside Jammu and Kashmir will have to undergo COVID-19 tests before embarking on the yatra. Only those with negative reports will have permissions to proceed towards the shrine. In the first week, the shrine authorities will allow a maximum of 2000 pilgrims per day. Among them, around 1900 will be from Jammu and Kashmir, and the remaining 100 will be from outside. The first group of pilgrims chanted holy slogans before commencing the yatra. Around 200 people have already undertaken the pilgrimage, as per reports. Also, did you know that a road trip from Delhi to Jammu might take just six hours by 2023?
Vaishno Devi Yatra At Jammu And Kashmir Resumes, 2000 Tourists Allowed Per Day
The temple authorities had stopped the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage in March 18 to combat the spread of COVID-19. Now, the yatra has finally resumed with only 2000 tourists per day. As per HT reports, Ramesh Kumar, CEO of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said, “The situation will be reviewed thereafter and a decision will be taken accordingly. Only the pilgrims who have registered themselves online are being allowed to undertake the pilgrimage.” Kumar added, “The pilgrims are directed to use traditional routes— from Katra to Bhawan via Banganga, Adhkuwari and Sanjichhat—to reach the shrine and Himkoti route-Tarakote Marg for their return journey,” The shrine board had also offered sehri and iftaar to around 500 quarantined Muslims at Katra’s Aashirwad Bhawan during the Ramadan Month.
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COVID-19 Guidelines For Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage
For the utmost safety of every devotee, the shrine board has issued some guidelines to be followed for visiting Vaishno Devi with the pandemic in place. These guidelines are as follows:
- Every visitor must have the Aarogya Setu App on their phone.
- It is compulsory for all tourists to wear masks.
- Tourists need to register online for the pilgrimage as the temple staff won’t allow crowds at the registration counter.
- All pilgrims from the state’s containment zones and those coming from outside Jammu and Kashmir need to undergo COVID-19 tests.
- Pithus, palkis and ponies won’t be permitted along the tracks.
- Pilgrims won’t have permissions to sit in the Atka Aarti area and Shradha Suman Vishesh Pooja.
- Blanket stores will remain closed initially
- Cloakrooms will reopen.
- There are circles for social distancing inside and around the temple premises.
- People with comorbidities, elderly people above 60 years, children below 10 years and pregnant women are advised to avoid taking the pilgrimage.
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Though tourism in India is resuming gradually, its best to stay at home now, as, with nearly 63,500 new cases, the coronavirus tally in India has gone up to 2.65 million. So, stay safe and adhere to the guidelines of social distancing strictly. Meanwhile, let’s take y’all on a virtual tour to Jammu: