Jammu, 11 October (H.S.): The holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi atop the Trikuta hills in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir reverberated with religious chants as nine-day Navratra commenced amid a heavy rush of devotees on the first day of the festival on Sunday.

Despite inclement weather conditions, pilgrims continued to arrive in large numbers to seek the blessings of the goddess Mata Vaishno Devi, creating an atmosphere of deep devotion and spiritual fervour, an official said.

He, however, said owing to adverse weather conditions, helicopter services remained suspended for the day.

Despite the disruption, devotees continued their pilgrimage, while the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board put special arrangements in place for the safety and the smooth movement of pilgrims, the official said.

Devotees visiting the shrine expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made by the Board, particularly the floral decorations and the crowd management.

Pankaj Kumar, a devotee from Bihar, said he has been visiting the shrine on the first day of Navratri for eight consecutive years and feels spiritually fulfilled after every visit.

He appreciated the arrangements and said that despite lakhs of devotees visiting the shrine, pilgrims are not facing any major inconvenience.

Puja, a resident of Delhi who was visiting the shrine during Navratri for the first time, described the experience as divine and praised the Board for allowing local artists to decorate the Bhawan. Such initiatives will help promote local art and enable it to reach a wider audience.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Udhampur-Reasi range) Shiv Kumar Sharma conducted a joint security review of Katra town along with the Army and Central Armed Police Forces to assess preparedness for the expected influx of devotees visiting the Shrine.

The DIG directed officers to maintain high alertness, intensify patrolling, ensure effective coordination and regulate pilgrim movement.

The Navratra festival will begin at 7:30 pm on Sunday at Yog Ashram Ground, Katra -- the base camp for the pilgrims visiting the shrine and shall culminate on October 19.

Cultural programmes with a multimedia exhibition will begin at 8:30 pm daily at Govt Higher Secondary School, Katra, which will also host one-day Hasya Vyang and Kavi Sammelan events. From the second Navratra, a Shobha Yatra with 15 illuminated jhankies will leave Asia Chowk daily at 5:30 pm.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar