Click it and Unblock the Notifications
As Chaitra Navratri approaches, the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine is seeing a large influx of devotees, leading to extensive preparations to ensure their comfort and security. The shrine and surrounding areas have been adorned with colorful lights, creating a welcoming atmosphere for those coming to pay their respects. Security measures have been significantly enhanced, with special control rooms established in both Vaishno Mata Bhawan and Katra. This initiative aims to monitor the situation closely and prevent any potential disturbances amidst the increased visitor numbers.
Surveillance has been intensified, with CCTV cameras placed in strategic locations for continuous observation. To bolster security, additional police forces, officers, and CRPF personnel are employing drones to oversee the pilgrimage route. This meticulous security setup ensures a safe environment for the devotees during their spiritual journey.
In a compassionate move to aid disabled visitors, special arrangements have been made to enhance their pilgrimage experience. Anshul Garg, an officer from the Vaishno Mata Shrine Board, revealed that disabled devotees would be provided with complimentary services including horse rides, pittu, palanquin, and battery car transportation during Navratri. This initiative, first introduced in Sharadiya Navratri and now extended to Chaitra Navratri, facilitates an easier and more accessible journey from Katra to Ardhkumwari, and subsequently, to the Bhawan for darshan.
Garg mentioned that this decision was made in a recent board meeting, emphasizing the shrine's commitment to inclusivity. To avail these services, devotees need to present a disability certificate, based on which the Shrine Board will offer the assistance free of charge. There are reports suggesting that such facilities for disabled visitors may become a year-round feature, not just limited to the Navratri period.
This gesture by the Shrine Board is a testament to the efforts being made to ensure that all devotees, regardless of their physical abilities, can participate in the spiritual journey and offerings to Mata Vaishno Devi. With enhanced security measures and special facilities for disabled visitors, the shrine is set to welcome devotees during Chaitra Navratri with open arms, ensuring a safe and fulfilling pilgrimage.
