PC to visit Vaishno Devi on April 10

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram would hold a high level security review here during his one day visit to Jammu on April 10. He would also review the activities of Pradesh Congress with the party leaders.

Security arrangements for peaceful summer in Kashmir, Baba Amarnath yatra, Mata Vaishno Devi yatra and the International Border besides internal security would be reviewed at a high level meeting by the Home Minister during the day, official sources said.

Mr Chidambaram is schedule to arrive here on the morning of April 10 from New Delhi. After being received at Jammu Airport, the Home Minister would fly to holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi ji and pay obeisance to the Goddess. He would trek about three kilometers from Sanji Chat to Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan and offer prayers at the holy cave shrine.

Sources said the Union Home Minister would review security arrangements at Vaishno Devi Bhawan, 13 kilometers track and base camp of Katra with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) officials and security agencies responsible for security of the shrine and other places including Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP).

Ahead of the Union Home Minister’s visit to holy cave shrine of Goddess Vaishno Devi, Governor NN Vohra, who happened to be Chairman of the SMVDSB, today visited holy cave shrine and reviewed arrangements.

Sources said Mr Chidambaram would stay at the Bhawan for about half an hour before flying back to Jammu.

He would chair a high level security review meeting at banquet hall of the Chief Minister’s residence with top brass of para-military forces, Intelligence agencies and police. Heads of para-military forces were expected to accompany the Home Ministry from New Delhi.

The security review meeting would last two hours. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani and Director General of Police (DGP) Kuldeep Khoda would also attend the meeting.

Sources said keeping Kashmir peaceful during summer, security arrangements for Baba Amarnath yatra and internal security would also be reviewed at the high level meeting.

The Union Home Minister would meet prominent Congress leaders including office bearers of the State unit and all legislators in a meeting at the State Guest House. He was expected to share report of the Interlocutors with the senior party leaders.

The Interlocutors—Dileep Padgaonkar, Prof Radha Kumar and MM Ansari had submitted their report to the Union Home Minister in October last year after an year long exercise.

Mr Chidambaram was expected to receive some delegations before flying back to New Delhi in the evening.

Khir Bhawani festival 2011

Heavy rush to Vaishno Devi

34.5 lakh visit Vaishno Devi

Ragini performs in SaMaPa Festival

Sufi singer, Ragini Rainu mesmerised the audience with her performance on the seventh day of the ongoing SaMaPa Aalap Festival 2012 being presented by the Sopori Academy of Music and Performing Arts in collaboration with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Board and Department of Tourism, J&K.

The concert was held at Government College for Women wherein Ragini presented various Qualams composed by Bhajan Sopori which commenced with Baba Farid’s "Subhan Allah".

She also explained the nuances of Sufi music to the students and made them sing various phrases of the Qualam.

Sarit Das accompanied Ragini Rainu on Tabla while Abid Hussain on Sarangi, Bua Ditta on Harmonium and Kamal Sharma on Dholak. Ragini presented the Sufiana Gharana of Kashmir.

Padamshri Vidushi Sumitra Guha also gave performance wherein she commenced her recital with Raga Vrindavan Sarang presenting a traditional Bandish "Na Bolo Shyam Hamre Sang" im Madhyalaya Teentaal.

She also showed the shades of Raga Shudh Sarang to the students and concluded the recital with a Bhajan of Kabir in Raga Kirwani.

Vidushi was accompanied by Sarit Das on Tabla, Abid Hussain on Sarangi and Padmaja Chakraborty on Harmonium.

Earlier, Abhay Rustam Sopori spoke to the students about the essence of music and how to make a difference in life through music.

The programme commenced with the welcome address by Dr Seema Sharma. Students of Music Department namely Sujata, Akash Priya, Kiran, Jyoti and others presented Saraswati Vandana.

The proceedings were conducted by Amneet Kaur and Payal. Principal of the college, Prof Nalini Kohli was also present.

Natural Cave of Vaishno Devi Opened

Yatris take to old way of darshan at Vaishno Devi

After about an year, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has opened natural and traditional old cave for pilgrims of the Goddess in view of decline in yatra rush due to harsh winter following snowfall and rains in Trikuta Hills for the past few days.

"This is nearly after a year that historic and natural cave of Mata Vaishno Devi ji has been thrown open for the pilgrims to reach sanctum sanctorum to have darshan of natural pindies of the Goddess'', SMVDSB Additional CEO Dr Mandeep K Bhandari said.

He added that the old cave is being opened for six hours (10 am to 4 pm) during the day time. However, the time can be extended depending upon rush of the yatris.

"If the rush remained below normal, the natural cave timings are extended but if it increased, the authorities closed the old cave and divert pilgrims to adjoining new cave for reaching the sanctum sanctorum'', Dr Bhandari said.

Yesterday, 12,000 pilgrims had darshan of Goddess Vaishno Devi amidst chilly weather conditions and rains. Today, about 9000 yatris left Katra, the base camp of the shrine, for the Bhawan.

Worthwhile to mention here that the Shrine Board had constructed two more caves leading to sanctum sanctorum, where three natural pindies of the Goddess are located. The traditional cave shrine was closed by the Board to reduce waiting for the pilgrims after number of yatris started picking up in nineties following take over of affairs of the shrine by the SMVDSB.

The old and traditional cave was opened for few days in January last year. This is exactly after a year that the natural cave has been opened for the yatris.

On an average, about 15,000 yatris have been visiting Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan these days. The Bhawan, Bhairon Ghati, Sanji Chat and track up to Adh Kunwari had experienced snowfall few days back. It rained on the track and the Bhawan throughout the day today.

Official sources said though the new track from Adh Kunwari to Bhawan was operational, the Shrine Board staff was keeping a watch on it since the route was prone to landslides. The track is closed for few hours during rains and re-opened for pilgrims later. However, the old route remained open as there was no threat of landslides on this track, they added.

The Shrine Board was constructing another alternate route exclusively for mules from near Katra to Adh-Kunwari. Work on this track was going on expeditiously and was expected to be completed in a year's time.

After completion of track, the pilgrims trekking to Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan and the mules would have separate routes. The mules are not allowed on alternate track from Adh-Kunwari to Bhawan.

Last year 1.01 crore pilgrims had visited holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi ji, which was an a.ll time record. This year also, the Shrine Board was expecting similar or even more rush of pilgrims to the holy cave shrine.

Rush to Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan generally picked up in the month of March when the winter and examination season is over.

Vaishno Devi yatra crosses one crore in 2011

In a new landmark, pilgrimage to holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi ji today crossed one crore mark for the first time in history of the shrine, setting an all time record.

News Agency had exclusively reported on December 25 that yatra to the shrine of Goddess Vaishno Devi would touch or cross 10 million on December 28.

The pilgrimage touched 1 crore at 4.20 pm today, a jubilant Additional CEO of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, announced.

Dr Rakesh Vishavakarma from Jaipur, Rajasthan, who had come to darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi ji, became 10 millionth pilgrim when he registered himself for visiting the Bhawan at Shrine Board’s counter at holy town of Katra, the base camp of the shrine, at 4.20 pm.

The Shrine Board authorities brought Dr Vishavakarma and his family to Spiritual Growth Centre (SGC) near Shrine Board’s head office at Katra and facilitated him and his family. They were presented with ‘Mata Ki Chunri’ and a photograph. The entire family would be the guest of the Shrine Board during their pilgrimage. Deputy CEOs SMVDSB Rahul Sharma, Vikas Sharma and Rashpal Singh and Rohit Khajuria, CAO and Director SGC were also present on the occasion.

Dr Rakesh and his wife would be the Board’s guest for next five years, Dr Bhandari said.

This was for the first time in history of the shrine that number of pilgrims in a year has touched and crossed the figure of one crore. Significantly, the magic figure was recorded in silver jubilee year of the SMVDSB.

Mata Vaishno Devi’s shrine has become the first religious place across the country, which is not covered by road, but still received over one crore pilgrims. Some other shrines in the country including Tirupati, Shirdi and Sidhi Vinayak received more than one crore pilgrims a year but they all are covered by road.

To reach Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, the pilgrims had to trek 13 kilometer hills from Katra. Some of them hired the services of pithoos to carry luggage or children and mules. The battery car ferried only 500 odd pilgrims a day from Bhawan to Adh-Kunwari as against the arrival of 30,000 to 35,000 pilgrims per day.

Last year, highest number of 87.2 lakh yatris had visited holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi ji, located between Trikuta hills at a height of 5200 feet from sea level. This year the yatra was up by 13.05 lakh so far from the last year.

During last three years, pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine has recorded about 45 per cent increase. In 2008, 67.8 lakh yatris had paid obeisance to natural pindies of Goddess Vaishno Devi in sanctum sanctorum of natural cave shrine. This year, about 1.02 crore pilgrims were expected to visit the shrine.

News Agency Editor-in-Chief S D Rohmetra has congratulated Governor NN Vohra, chairman of SMVDSB on record one crore yatra to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine during the current year.

The SMVDSB was set up by the then Governor Jagmohan in 1986 taking over all affairs of the shrine from the baaridars and 13 kilometers track leading to an era of unprecedented development all around.

The Shrine Board is presently running Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University while Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence at Katra (first phase) is expected to be commissioned in next seven months. President Pratibha Devi Patil had commissioned Board’s Spiritual Growth Centre during her visit to the shrine in November this year.

Pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine was just 13.95 lakh in 1986 when the Shrine Board was constituted by an act of the Legislature. The yatra has recorded nearly seven fold increase in 25 years.

From 13.95 lakh in 1986, the pilgrimage to the cave shrine started picking up and crossed 40 lakh in 1995. By 2000, the yatra had crossed 5 million mark. In 2004, the yatra crossed 60 lakh for the first time while it crossed the figure of 7 million recording 74.17 lakh pilgrimage in 2007.

In 2008, the yatra came down to 67.92 lakh due to two months long Amarnath land row agitation but recorded a massive jump of about 14 lakh and went up to 82 lakh in 2009. In 2010, 87.2 lakh yatris visited the holy cave shrine.

Yatra during the months of June, July and August helped in achieving the magic figure of 10 million. The highest number of 11.5 lakh and 11.27 lakh pilgrims visited Mata Vaishno Devi shrine this year during the months of June and July respectively. In August, the number of yatris stood at 10.05 lakh.

During April and May, 9.77 lakh and 8.7 lakh yatris respectively had darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi ji. In September, October and November, the number of pilgrims stood at 8.25 lakh, 8.72 lakh and 6.39 lakh.

In January this year, 4.21 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance to the Goddess while lowest ever yatra of 3.69 lakh was recorded in the month of February. In March, 7.55 lakh pilgrims had visited the holy cave shrine.

In the month of December so far, 5.75 lakh yatris have visited the shrine.

After the SMVDSB took over affairs of the Shrine Board in 1986, the pilgrimage to holy cave shrine started increasing with every passing year due to massive infrastructure generated for pilgrims by the Board along with a number of facilities from Katra to Vaishno Devi Bhawan.

Several rest and guest houses with accommodation for the pilgrims, ‘Bhojnalayas’ at ‘no-profit, no-loss’ basis’, other eatable points, widening of tracks all around, creation of an alternate track from Adh-Kunwari to Bhawan with battery car facilities for aged and infirm pilgrims and construction of two new caves around the Bhawan are just to mention the facilities generated by the Board.

The upcoming facilities of the Board included an exclusive track dedicated to ponneys from Katra to Adh-Kunwari, material ropeway from Katra to Bhawan and passenger ropeway from Bhawan to Bhairon Ghati, for which ground work has already been completed.

Governor N N Vohra, who is also the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board congratulated Board on this momentous occasion and desired that the focus of the Shrine Board must continue in the direction of providing better services and infrastructure to the visiting pilgrims. Chief Executive Officer, Raj Kumar Goyal, also conveyed his greetings to the one crore'th yatri and informed that the Shrine Board has been consistently making efforts to improve upon the existing infrastructure. Operation of Manokamna Bhawan Phase-II, starting of accommodation projects like Parvati Bhawan and Ashirwad Complex are the remarkable efforts in this direction, he said.

The work of Sports Stadium and dedicated mule track, new and renewable energy related projects, emergency helipad and ropeway projects are the highlights of the recent achievements of the Shrine Board. There has been a continuous effort to maintain the existing facilities and to provide a very satisfying experience to the visiting pilgrims. Replacement of worn out tiles on the track, provision of better medical facilities, carrying massive plantation for preservation of ecology, Disaster Management Preparedness and such other activities in this direction have been at the focus of the Shrine Board in the interest of pilgrimage.

"Lot of efforts have been made towards improvement of sanitation facilities by carrying dedicated sanitation drives, construction and improvement of the rain shelter sheds and improving the water supply to Bhawan and Adhkuwari as well as the arrangement of power to the Shrine area in the recent past. Commissioning of two major projects i.e. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Spiritual Growth Centre and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul, apart from the opening of the new tunnel leading to Sanctum Sanctorum have been the recent achievements of the Shrine Board,'' Dr Bhandari said.

Pilgrimage up by 12 lakh Vaishno Devi shrine

Holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi ji is witnessing heavy rush of pilgrims during the Navratras. Total pilgrimage during first nine months of this year, which concluded today, have recorded an increase of nearly 12 lakh over the corresponding period last year indicating that yatra to the shrine was all set to touch or even surpass the figure of 1 crore for the first time.

Last year, 87.2 lakh pilgrims had visited the shrine of Goddess Vaishno Devi, located between Trikuta hills at a height of 5200 feet from the sea level. With 12 lakh increase during first three quarters, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) authorities were confident that the yatra would cross 10 million mark for the first time in the history.

Though the SMVDSB authorities were anticipating a substantive increase in the pilgrimage in last quarter of the yatra over the same period last year, the yatra would touch 1 crore even if it remained at par in last three months as it has already gone up by nearly 12 lakh.

SMVDSB Additional CEO Dr Mandeep K Bhandari told the Excelsior that 77.75 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance to Goddess Vaishno Devi during first nine months of 2011 as compared to 65.80 lakh yatra in the same period in 2010, recording an increase of 11.95 lakh.

During the month of September, 8.25 lakh yatris visited the holy cave shrine as compared to 6.20 lakh last year, an increase of 2.05 lakh.

During first Navratra, 45,000 devotees offered prayers to Goddess Vaishno Devi as compared to 36,900 last year. On second Navratra, number of the pilgrims stood at 40,047 as against 38,800 in 2010 while on third Navratra today, nearly 35,000 people left holy town of Katra, the base camp of the shrine, for Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. The figure was 31,300 last year, Dr Bhandari said.

Authorities were expecting heavy rush to the cave shrine during remaining Navratras in view of ongoing Navratra festival during which many functions were being organized daily.

Last year, highest number of 87.2 lakh yatris had visited the cave shrine. With nearly 12 lakh increase in the pilgrimage till September this year, the authorities hoped that remaining three months of 2011 would also lead to a substantial increase in the yatra, taking pilgrimage well beyond the magic mark of 10 million for the first time.

During the current year, 4.21 lakh yatris visited holy cave shrine of Goddess Vaishno Devi in January as compared to 3.99 lakh in the same month last year while the number came down to 3.69 lakh in February in response to 3.77 lakh in 2010. The pilgrimage jumped to 7.55 lakh in March up from 7.22 lakh last year.

In April, 9.77 lakh yatris paid obeisance to the Goddess while the number was 8.78 lakh last year while in May, 8.70 lakh people visited the shrine as compared to 9.14 lakh last year. The highest ever yatra in a month was recorded in June with 11.50 lakh yatris visiting the shrine as compared to 9.19 lakh last year. In July also, the pilgrimage crossed 11 lakh recording 11.27 lakh yatra while the number was 8.40 lakh last year. In August, 10.05 pilgrims visited the shrine as against 7.91 lakh last year.

Police parties led by SP Katra Mohan Lal and SDPO Katra P N Tickoo were supervising security arrangements for the pilgrims. Tight security arrangements have been made for the Navratras.

Mata Vaishno Devi yatra may touch 1 cr

Pilgrimage to holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi ji was, for the first time, touching 6 million in just seven months of the year recording an increase of 7.77 lakh over the corresponding months last year. The present trend of increase could take the yatra very close to magic figure of 1 crore this year.

It would be the first shrine, located between the Trikuta hills and untouched by the passenger vehicles, to receive nearly 10 million pilgrims in a year in the country.

During first seven months of this year, 58.63 lakh yatris had visited the cave shrine of Goddess Vaishno Devi, located at a height of 5200 feet from sea level. Going by the current average arrival of 35,000 to 40,000 pilgrims per day at Katra, the base camp of the shrine, the yatra would cross 6 million in next three to four days. Last year, the feat of 6 million was achieved after eight months.

Additional CEO Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), Dr Mandeep K Bhandari told the Excelsior that pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine has shown an increase of 7.77 lakh during first seven months of this year as compared to same period last year.

As against 58.63 lakh pilgrims visiting the holy cave shrine by this evening, 50.86 lakh yatris had visited Vaishno Devi Bhawan in the corresponding period last year, he said.

In the month of July, 11.27 lakh yatris paid obeisance to Goddess Vaishno Devi. The number during last year was 8.17 lakh.

This is for the first time that yatra to Vaishno Devi shrine had crossed 11 lakh in the months of June and July. During the two months alone, the yatra has recorded an increase of about 6.5 lakh over the same months of previous year taking total increase during seven months to 7.77 lakh.

During 2010, an all time high 87.2 lakh pilgrims had visited Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. With 7.77 lakh increase having been registered in the yatra already, the Shrine Board authorities were anticipating that, going by the present trend, the yatra could touch or reach close to 1 crore this year.

There is no shrine in the country having no direct access of passenger vehicles which received 1 crore pilgrims a year. The pilgrims had to trek 13 kilometers hilly track from Katra to reach the Bhawan of Goddess Vaishno Devi.

Meanwhile, the Shrine Board has received report from IIM Ahmedabad experts on yatra management at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in view of ever increasing rush of the yatris. The Board had hired services of IIM Ahmedabad experts to suggest yatra management within limited scope of widening at Bhawan complex for better management of yatra queues to ensure that the pilgrims face less inconvenience and time in the queues.

The Shrine Board authorities are studying the report, official sources said.

SDPO Katra P N Tickoo said security arrangements at Katra, which serves as base camp for the shrine, Darshani Deodi, Ban Ganga and surrounding areas of Katra have already been intensified in view of unabated heavy rush of the pilgrims to Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan.

Mr Tickoo said the pilgrims having mobile handset with IMEI number and photo identity cards were being allowed only in the hotels, guest houses, lodges and sarais as per the directive of police.

As against 87.2 lakh yatra in 2010, the number in 2009 was 82 lakh. In 2008, 67.92 lakh yatra was recorded while the number was 74.17 lakh in 2007. The pilgrimage was down in 2008 due to Amarnath land row agitation.

While 4,21,231 yatris had darshan of natural pindies of Goddess Vaishno Devi during January this year, the similar figure for previous year was 3,99,665. In February, the yatra came down slightly and stood at 3,69,755 as against 3,77,213 last year. In March, 7.55 lakh yatris paid obeisance to the Goddess as against 7.22 lakh last year. In April this year, 9.77 lakh pilgrims visited Mata's Bhawan as against 8.35 lakh last year.

Yatra to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in the month of May was almost equal like the last year. While this year, 8.7 lakh yatris visited the cave shrine, the figure for the last year was 8.65 lakh. In June, the yatra went up to 11.6 lakh as against 9.19 lakh last year.

Vaishno Devi Yatra at Rise

Vaishno Devi yatra set to cross 9 million June breaks all time record of pilgrimage

In another significant record, the month of June this year has recorded highest ever yatra to holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi ji for any month with 11.45 lakh pilgrims paying obeisance to the Goddess taking total yatra during first half of the year to 46.39 lakh, about 4.5 lakh more than the corresponding period for last year.

The previous highest pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine for any month was recorded in June 2008 when 11,18,065 yatris had visited natural cave of the Goddess. During this June, 11,23,178 yatris had darshan of Vaishno Devi till last night. By tonight, the number was expected to touch 11.45 lakh. The yatris, who had online registration, were yet to be included in this month’s figure.

Official sources said total yatra to Mata Vaishno Devi’s shrine during first half of the year (till June 29 night) was 46,39,554 as compared to previous year’s 41,87,605.

During six months of this year, the yatra has gone up by 4,51,949.

June being the month of summer vacations almost all over the country has always witnessed highest ever yatra in the year.

In addition to previous best figure of 11.18 lakh in June 2008, the yatra in June 2009 was 10.13 lakh. It was 9.19 lakh in June 2010, 9.35 lakh in 2007, 9.37 lakh in 2006 and 8.57 lakh in 2005. Even in 1986 when Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) was set up and total yatra for the year was 13.95 lakh, the month of June had recorded highest yatra of 1.93 lakh.

Going by the increase of 4.51 lakh in first half of the year, the yatra was expected to touch or cross the figure of 9 million mark for the first time in the history. During 2010, 87 lakh pilgrims had performed darshan of natural pindies of Goddess Vaishno Devi. If everything goes well, the yatra would easily cross 9 million this year, sources said.

The yatra arrangements are being supervised personally by Additional CEO of SMVDSB, Dr Mandeep Bhandari.

The Shrine Board was ultimately bracing up to receive 1 crore pilgrims in the next couple of years. The infrastructure is being developed taking in view the arrival of 10 million yatris a year.

SDPO Katra P N Tickoo said security arrangements at Katra, which serves as base camp for the shrine, Darshani Deodi, Ban Ganga and surrounding areas have already been intensified in view of heavy rush to the holy cave shrine.

Mr Tickoo said the pilgrims having mobile handset with IMEI number and photo identity cards were being allowed only in the hotels, guest houses, lodges and sarais as per the directive of police.

As against 87.2 lakh yatra in 2010, the number in 2009 was 82 lakh. In 2008, 67.92 lakh yatra was recorded while the number was 74.17 lakh in 2007. The pilgrimage was down in 2008 due to Amarnath land row agitation.

Even last year, the SMVDSB authorities were anticipating 9 million yatra to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine but the number remained slightly less due to three month unrest during summer in the Kashmir valley. The Valley unrest also had impact on the yatra to Vaishno Devi Bhawan.

While 4,21,231 yatris had darshan of natural pindies of Goddess Vaishno Devi during January this year, the similar figure for previous year was 3,99,665. In February, the yatra came down slightly and stood at 3,69,755 as against 3,77,213 last year. In March, 7.55 lakh yatris paid obeisance to the Goddess as against 7.22 lakh last year. In April this year, 9.77 lakh pilgrims visited Mata’s Bhawan as against 8.35 lakh last year.

Yatra to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in the month of May was almost equal like the last year. While this year, 8.7 lakh yatris visited the cave shrine, the figure for the last year was 8.65 lakh.