Jammu, Aug 16: The much-awaited pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine on Sunday resumed in Trikuta Hills of mountainous Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The yatra was suspended on March 18 this year in view of corona pandemic.
However, Vaishno Devi Shrine Board have also issued guidelines and SOPs for the pilgrims to be followed during the yatra.
“The pilgrimage has resumed this morning,” Ramesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shrine Board, told UNI.
He said that confirmed figure of registered yatries (pilgrims) on website can be known in the evening but initially 100-150 pilgrims reached Bhawan on first day of the yatra resumption.
The Shrine Board as per SOPs have also put cap on 2000 pilgrims per day for a week and registration will be available on official website www.maavaishnodevi.org.
As per the guidelines, the CEO said that only those pilgrims who have registered Online will be allowed and persons above 60 years of age, person with co-morbidity, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are not allowed for the yatra.
“It is mandatory for the pilgrims to use “Arogya Setu Application’ on their Mobile
Phones and only Asymptomatic pilgrims will be allowed to undertake the yatra,” he said, adding that use of face mask/covers are mandatory while compulsory Covid-19 Antigen testing for the pilgrims coming from outside Jammu and Kashmir.
The CEO further added that the pilgrims from Containment Zones shall also undergo Covid-19 Testing and allowed to proceed only if the results are negative and pilgrims should wash their hands and feet frequently with soap and water and before entering the Sanctum Sanctorum.
“Pilgrims are required to maintain physical distancing of six feet at all times. Touching of Statues/ldols is not allowed and no mats/blankets will be provided,” said Kumar.
He said that face masks/covers, gloves shall be properly disposed off by the pilgrims at the assigned/designated dustbins, spitting is strictly prohibited, pilgrims shall furnish their contactable details wherever asked by the officials on duty.
“Pilgrims are advised not to stay at Bhawan after Darshans,” he added.
Yatra to Vaishno Devi resumes, SOPs in place
