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The holy pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district will recommence on Sunday (September 14) after a 19-day suspension, officials confirmed on Friday. The yatra was halted on August
26 following a cloudburst that triggered landslides at Adhkuwari in the Trikuta Hills, which claimed 34 lives and left 20 injured.
"Jai Mata Di! The Vaishno Devi Yatra will resume from September 14 (Sunday), subject to favourable weather conditions. For details and bookings, please visit www.maavaishnodevi.org," the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDB) announced on X.
The Board explained that the suspension had been necessary due to adverse weather and urgent restoration of the pilgrimage track leading up to the
shrine. It stressed that the journey will go ahead as planned, provided conditions remain safe.
Pilgrims have been urged to carry valid identification, use the designated routes, and comply with directions from staff on the ground. "RFID-based tracking will remain mandatory for transparency and traceability. For live updates, booking services, and helpline support, devotees are encouraged to visit the Shrine Board’s official website: www.maavaishnodevi.org," the SMVDB said.
Also read | Death
toll in Vaishno Devi landslide rises to 32; yatra suspended, rescue efforts continue
The Board also extended its appreciation to devotees for their patience during the disruption. “The resumption of the Yatra marks a reaffirmation of our collective faith and resilience. The Board remains committed to upholding the sanctity, safety, and dignity of this revered pilgrimage,” a spokesperson noted.
This interruption was the longest since the suspension of services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorities said the
break was essential to prioritise pilgrim safety and complete repair work on the damaged track and nearby commercial structures in Katra.
On September 6, Heavy downpour hampered the efforts of the National Highway Authority of India to restore traffic on the landslide-hit Jammu-Srinagar national highway which remained closed for nearly a week until then following the landslides.
The pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills remained suspended for the 13th straight day,
while Border Roads Organisation (BRO) restored traffic on Basohli-Bani road in Kathua district after bypassing the damaged stretch, officials had said.
“The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is still closed for vehicular movement. Restoration work is going on,” a traffic department official said on September 7, advising people not to undertake their journey on the arterial road till the restoration work is completed. National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) Project Manager, Ramban sector, Shubam said heavy rains again caused disruption in the restoration
efforts this morning to clear the 250-metre stretch, which remains buried under a hill, at Thard in Udhampur district.
“Explosives were used to blast giant boulders as part of efforts to ensure early restoration of the highway. Despite the rain, our men and machines are on the job but the work is going on at a slow pace,” he said.
The traffic on the highway, the only all weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was suspended on September 2 – only two days after restoration of partial traffic to clear vehicles
which had remained stranded for almost a week.
"Jai Mata Di! The Vaishno Devi Yatra will resume from September 14 (Sunday), subject to favourable weather conditions. For details and bookings, please visit www.maavaishnodevi.org," the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDB) announced on X.
Jai Mata Di
Vaishno Devi Yatra to Resume from September 14 (Sunday), subject to favourable weather conditions.
For details/bookings, please visit https://t.co/cdRLtcFYSM#JaiMataDi #SMVDSB #YatraUpdate
— Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (@OfficialSMVDSB) September 12, 2025
The Board explained that the suspension had been necessary due to adverse weather and urgent restoration of the pilgrimage track leading up to the
Pilgrims have been urged to carry valid identification, use the designated routes, and comply with directions from staff on the ground. "RFID-based tracking will remain mandatory for transparency and traceability. For live updates, booking services, and helpline support, devotees are encouraged to visit the Shrine Board’s official website: www.maavaishnodevi.org," the SMVDB said.
Also read | Death
The Board also extended its appreciation to devotees for their patience during the disruption. “The resumption of the Yatra marks a reaffirmation of our collective faith and resilience. The Board remains committed to upholding the sanctity, safety, and dignity of this revered pilgrimage,” a spokesperson noted.
This interruption was the longest since the suspension of services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorities said the
On September 6, Heavy downpour hampered the efforts of the National Highway Authority of India to restore traffic on the landslide-hit Jammu-Srinagar national highway which remained closed for nearly a week until then following the landslides.
The pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills remained suspended for the 13th straight day,
“The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is still closed for vehicular movement. Restoration work is going on,” a traffic department official said on September 7, advising people not to undertake their journey on the arterial road till the restoration work is completed. National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) Project Manager, Ramban sector, Shubam said heavy rains again caused disruption in the restoration
“Explosives were used to blast giant boulders as part of efforts to ensure early restoration of the highway. Despite the rain, our men and machines are on the job but the work is going on at a slow pace,” he said.
The traffic on the highway, the only all weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was suspended on September 2 – only two days after restoration of partial traffic to clear vehicles
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