The Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, which was set to resume on Sunday after a 19-day suspension, has been postponed again due to continuous rainfall, the shrine board announced on Saturday.

The pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir had been halted on August 26, just hours before a major landslide struck the route to the shrine, claiming the lives of 34 pilgrims and injuring 20 others.

“Due to incessant rain at Bhawan & the track, the commencement of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra scheduled from 14th September stands postponed till further order. Devotees are requested to stay updated through official communication channels,” Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said in a statement on social media.

Earlier, the board had planned to resume the pilgrimage on Sunday, but adverse weather conditions have once again delayed the restart.

On August 26, a massive landslide struck the route, claiming 34 lives and injuring 20 others. The disaster occurred around 3 pm when heavy rains triggered a landslide near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkuwari, approximately halfway along the 12 kilometre path from Katra to the holy cave on Trikuta hills.

After the tragedy, questions were raised over why the pilgrimage was not halted despite warnings of heavy rain. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who also serves as chairman of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, has informed that the yatra was suspended before the cloudburst struck the track at Adhkuwari.

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Published By:

Shipra Parashar

Published On:

Sep 13, 2025