Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 13: Pilgrimage to holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi ji was suspended this evening due to heavy influx of yatris as yatra crossed 34,000 at 7 pm today.
About 5,000 pilgrims were stranded at Katra town, the base camp of the shrine when the yatra was stopped.
However, the yatra was restored at 10 pm and majority of stranded pilgrims were issued yatra slips by the Shrine Board authorities to proceed for Vaishno Devi Bhawan, official sources said.
Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Trikuta hills of Katra has been witnessing heavy rush with the end of examination season.
Sources said Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) authorities decided to stop the yatra at 7 pm when it crossed 34,000 for the day leaving about 5000 yatris stranded at Katra town.
A sudden influx of yatris at Katra this evening forced suspension of pilgrimage.
The yatra was restored around 10 pm after rush eased at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. Most of the stranded yatris were issued yatra slips by the Shrine Board late tonight facilitating their journey to the Bhawan.
Meanwhile, Durga Bhawan at holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi ji has been declared unsafe by the Shrine Board, sources said.
The Bhawan premises was being used for free boarding and lodging of the pilgrims.
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