Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 10: Train services have been resumed to the base camp of Mata Vaishnodevi cave shrine, where the old holy cave has been reopened for ‘darshan’.
“Train services to Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishnodevi shrine, have been resumed. All the trains are now running smoothly,” Divisional Traffic Manager R N Meena said.
Train services were disrupted after the newly introduced Udhampur-Katra Shri Shakti Express, carrying more than 500 devotees, got stuck in mudslide triggered by heavy rains on Thursday last.
Shri Shakti Express arrived in Katra today, but it was nearly empty in view of decrease of pilgrim traffic to Vaishnodevi due to the floods.
Meanwhile, pilgrimage to the cave shrine in Trikuta Hills in Reasi district is going on smoothly after its resumption on Monday as over 5,000 more pilgrims have had ‘darshan’ so far.
The authorities have also reopened new track from Sanjichat to facilitate devotees to perform yatra on this track. “We have also re-open the old cave for devotees to undertake yatra via this ancient route, which generally reopened annually at the time low pilgrim flow,” Chief Executive officer (CEO) of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board (SMVSB) Mandeep K Bhandari said.
“Yatra to the cave shrine is going on smoothly after its resumption yesterday morning after remaining suspended for four days in view of heavy rains and bad weather conditions,” Bhandari said.
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