The revered pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, nestled high in the Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, is scheduled to recommence on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. This much-awaited restart is contingent on favorable weather conditions, as confirmed by the shrine board.
The spiritual journey was halted on August 26, just hours before a significant landslip struck the path leading to the holy shrine. This tragic event resulted in the loss of 34 pilgrim lives and left 20 others injured.
In an official announcement, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) posted on X, “Jai Mata Di…Vaishno Devi Yatra shall resume from September 17, 2025 (Wednesday) subject to favourable weather conditions. Devotees are requested to stay updated through official communication channels.”
The decision to permit pilgrims back onto the sacred route comes just two days after a sizable group of devotees gathered at the Katra base camp, staging protests and demanding the immediate resumption of the pilgrimage.
Initially, the shrine board had planned to reopen the yatra on September 14. However, continuous heavy rainfall forced an extension of the suspension period, leading to further unrest among devotees. Some even attempted to breach security cordons, determined to proceed with their pilgrimage despite the official directives.