Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Sept 26: With onset of auspicious nine-day long ‘Sharad Navratras’, Shat Chandi Maha Yagya began today at the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji, amidst grand decorations organized by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
The Maha Yagya, which is being performed by chanting of Vedic hymns with other religious ceremonies at the holy cave shrine for peace, prosperity, health, safety and well being of mankind, will conclude with Purna Ahuti on Mahanavami. It is being telecast on Shraddha MH One channel from 11: 30 AM to 1:00 PM daily during Navratras.
K K Sharma, Member Shrine Board; Anshul Garg, CEO of the Board; Sudhir Bali, SDM Bhawan; Ajay Salaan, Asstt CEO, besides, other senior officers of Board and a large number of pilgrims were present on the occasion.
On this festive occasion, as per the directions of Chairman ( Lt Governor, JK-UT), Shrine Board has been providing free pony and battery car services to ‘Divyang’ (physically handicapped) devotees with special arrangements for their priority darshans at sanctum sanctorum by setting up of help desks for their convenience at various locations.
Noteworthy, RFID -based tracking and dispatching pilgrims in batches, a focused initiative of the Shrine Board for Yatra management to ensure their safety, comfort and ease of commutation has already been rolled out by the Shrine Board well before commencement of Navratra. The RFID card system, which is mandatory for all pilgrims, will help in better crowd management and real time tracking of pilgrims.”
In addition, erecting welcome gates, the Shrine Board has unveiled special selfie-points for the first time en-route the Holy shrine for the pilgrims to capture fond memories of their visit during Navratra.
Grand decorations have been made at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan, Atka and the area surrounding it with indigenous-foreign fruits and flowers, as well as huge reception doors and pandals are installed in the Bhawan Area. Likewise, the illumination of the Bhawan area with attractive and colorful lights has also been done.
Also, as was done in last year’s Shardiya Navratras, this year’s other special features of arrangements included Bhajan and Bhaint performances during morning and evening Atka Aarti by the renowned artists.
The CEO interacted with the pilgrims and enquired about the arrangements made by the board to facilitate them. He expressed satisfaction at the arrangements put in place for the pilgrims at Bhawan and Katra.
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