Vaishno Devi Yatra Suspended from October 5–7 Amid Bad Weather Alert; Shrine Board Under Scrutiny After Recent Landslide Tragedy
Vaishno Devi Yatra: Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra Postponed For 3 Days: The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has issued a fresh update concerning the Vaishno Devi Yatra, announcing a three-day suspension of the pilgrimage from October 5 to 7, 2025. The decision was made in light of a severe weather advisory issued by the Indian Meteorological Department. As per the Shrine Board’s official announcement on social media platform ‘X’, the yatra is expected to resume on October 8. Devotees are advised to follow official channels for real-time updates.
This latest suspension comes just weeks after a tragic landslide on August 26 at Mandir Marg, which claimed the lives of over 35 pilgrims and left more than 10 injured. The landslide, triggered by heavy rains in the Jammu division, forced an immediate halt to the yatra and prompted the evacuation of hotels and dharamshalas in Katra as a precautionary measure.
The incident sparked widespread criticism of the Shrine Board’s handling of safety protocols. Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary publicly blamed the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) for lapses in managing the yatra’s safety. In response to the mounting pressure, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the landslide incident, which occurred near the Ardhkumwari stretch of the pilgrimage route.
The suspension of the yatra due to weather concerns underscores growing calls for improved risk management and infrastructure safety along the revered pilgrimage route.
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