Solely the pilgrims who’ve registered themselves on-line are being allowed to undertake the pilgrimage.
Katra (J&Ok):
Khushvinder Singh is a part of a 12-member group from Jammu who reached Katra earlier than daybreak to pay obeisance on the well-known Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The shrine together with different spiritual locations throughout the Union Territory reopened for devotees on Sunday morning after remaining closed for nearly 5 months as a result of COVID-19 outbreak.
“I used to return to the shrine at the very least as soon as each month to supply my prayers. I really feel blessed to be again on the primary day of the reopening of the shrine,” the 48-year-old Khushvinder Singh instructed PTI.
Khushvinder Singh had reached Katra, the bottom camp for the pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi shrine, round four am and was among the many first batch to supply prayers on the sanctum sanctorum – the holy cave which is the last word vacation spot of the pilgrims.
The gates of the shrine reopened for the devotees round 6 am and Chief Govt Officer (CEO) of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) Ramesh Kumar was seen taking last-minute assessment of the measures to make sure the protection of the pilgrims from the dreaded illness.
“The Vaishno Devi pilgrimage was stopped on March 18 as a precautionary measure to forestall the unfold of COVID-19 and now when the administration had determined to reopen the spiritual locations, the board had taken all needed measures conserving in thoughts the problem posed by the dreaded illness,” Ramesh Kumar mentioned.
Within the first week, there shall be a cap of two,000 pilgrims every day, of which 1,900 could be from Jammu and Kashmir and the remaining 100 from outdoors.
“The federal government has come out with an in depth Customary Working Process (SOP) and the pilgrims are requested to observe the rules for their very own security and the protection of others,” Ramesh Kumar mentioned whereas inspecting the automated thermal screening level which together with hand sanitizer was arrange alongside the entry level dotted with circles to make sure social distancing.
Solely the pilgrims who’ve registered themselves on-line are being allowed to undertake the pilgrimage.
The pilgrims are directed to make use of conventional routes — from Katra to Bhawan through Banganga, Adhkuwari and Sanjichhat — to achieve the shrine and Himkoti route-Tarakote Marg for his or her return journey.
“The pilgrims, coming from crimson zones, and outdoors Jammu and Kashmir must bear COVID-19 check and solely these pilgrims with detrimental stories will likely be allowed to maneuver in the direction of Bhawan,” Ramesh Kumar mentioned.
Youngsters beneath 10 years, pregnant ladies, individuals with comorbidities and people above 60 years have been suggested to keep away from spiritual locations in the intervening time.
A large sanitisation marketing campaign was launched by the shrine board proper from Katra to Bhawan earlier than the resumption of the pilgrimage.
“We had been ready impatiently for the reopening of the shrine and I’m feeling good to be right here. We’re grateful to the Lt Governor administration for the choice,” Mohit Sharma, a resident of R S Pura space of Jammu, mentioned as he set out for the Bhawan from the Bal Ganga entry level.
He lauded the shrine board for its preventive measures and mentioned “prayers are additionally wanted to beat this pandemic”.
“We now have come to hunt the blessings of the Mata to beat our troubles,” Pankaj Sharma mentioned as he displayed hand sanitizers and face masks whereas transferring in the direction of the shrine.
He mentioned the devotees want to present full assist to the shrine board which is doing its finest to make sure the protection of the pilgrims.
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