Devotion Meets Deluge: Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage Halted Amid Landslides

The pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir has been suspended due to heavy rains and landslides that claimed 34 lives. Bookings and services have been canceled with full refunds. A high-level inquiry is investigating the disaster's circumstances.

The pilgrimage to the revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra town, Jammu and Kashmir, has been suspended for the seventh day amid relentless rainfall. This decision follows a tragic landslide on a yatra route last Tuesday, which claimed 34 lives.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has announced the cancellation of all bookings, including helicopter and accommodation services, with a promise of 100 percent refunds until conditions are favorable for resumption. This step is seen as necessary to ensure the pilgrims' safety.

A high-level inquiry, led by Shaleen Kabra, has been launched to investigate the circumstances leading to the disaster. The committee will assess the actions taken prior to the incident, following allegations that officials ignored weather warnings.