Katra, Mar 24: Maa Vaishno Devi shrine is experiencing a significant surge in pilgrim footfall during the ongoing Navratri festival, with over 2 lakh devotees having already paid obeisance in the first six days.

Officials reported that despite the heavy rush, the yatra is progressing smoothly, thanks to meticulous arrangements put in place to manage the continuous influx of pilgrims. The base camp at Katra and the track leading to the Bhawan remain crowded at all hours, with both day and night witnessing a steady stream of devotees.

As a precautionary measure, registration for the pilgrimage was temporarily suspended on the evening of March 21 due to the overwhelming rush of pilgrims. However, the registration process resumed promptly at 4 AM on March 22 after the situation was assessed and better crowd management was implemented.

Authorities had suspended registration to ensure the safe and orderly movement of the large crowd. With the situation now under control, the registration has been restored, allowing devotees to continue their pilgrimage without interruption.

The large turnout highlights the unwavering faith and enthusiasm of the devotees during this auspicious Navratri period, and the influx is expected to continue growing in the coming days

To ensure the safety and comfort of all visitors, the Shrine Board has enhanced facilities across several sectors, including security, crowd management, sanitation, and medical services. Additional staff and security personnel have been deployed to handle the increased number of pilgrims.

Authorities have urged devotees to follow all guidelines and cooperate with officials to maintain the smooth flow of the yatra.

The surge in pilgrim footfall reflects the deep faith of devotees during the ongoing Chaitra Navratri festival, with thousands arriving from across the country to seek the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji.

Despite the high number of pilgrims, the yatra continues in an orderly manner, with authorities maintaining strict crowd control and ensuring that all essential services are available to make the pilgrimage as safe and comfortable as possible for the devotees.