JAMMU — Scores of protesters took to the streets in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra town on Tuesday against the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, demanding an immediate rollback of the proposed ropeway project, officials said. Locals of Katra, the base camp for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, have been opposing the Rs 250-crore ropeway project, […]
Tag: Katra
Nearly three dozen villages included in extended master plan in Katra
JAMMU — Thirty-three villages have been included in the extended master plan to ensure holistic, planned and sustained growth of Katra, the base camp for the pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. This was stated at a high-level meeting chaired by Commissioner Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department […]
Protests in Katra against proposed Vaishno Devi ropeway project
JAMMU — Scores of protesters took to the streets in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra town on Tuesday against the proposed Vaishno Devi ropeway plan, and threatened to resume a chain hunger strike if the project was not shelved. Locals of Katra, the base camp for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, have been opposing the Rs 250-crore […]
Command centre for Vaishno Devi Yatra to be ready at Katra in May
JAMMU — A command and control centre to ensure the safety of Vaishnodevi yatris will be operationalised at Katra town in Reasi district by the first week of May, a top official said Friday. Chairing a high-level security meeting of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine board (SMVDSB), CEO Anshul Garg reviewed the security preparedness […]
Railways to run special train from Katra to New Delhi at 9:20 pm today
NEW DELHI — Railways will run a special unreserved train from Katra to New Delhi at 9:20 pm on Wednesday for those who want to cut short their trip to Jammu and Kashmir and return to their respective destinations, an official said. Reports suggested that several tourists at various places in Jammu wanted to return […]
Ahead of Navratri, AI-enabled cameras, drones, security personnel tighten security in Katra
JAMMU — Heavy security arrangements, including AI-enabled CCTV cameras and drones, are being put in place to avert any untoward incident at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine during the Navratri festival. Chaitra (spring) Navratra will commence on March 30 and authorities are anticipating a large crowd of devotees thronging the cave shrine during the nine-day festival. […]
Mata Vaishno Devi shrine records massive increase in pilgrim donations in 5 years
JAMMU — Pilgrim donations at the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir has gone up to Rs 171.90 crore in Financial Year 2024-25 (till January) from Rs 63.85 crore in 2020-21, according to the temple board. Similarly, the gold offerings at the shrine have also increased from over nine kgs to 27.7 kgs […]
Helicopter, ropeway service suspended at Vaishno Devi due to ‘bad weather’
JAMMU — The helicopter and ropeway service at the Vaishno Devi shrine remained suspended on Thursday as high-altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir experienced snowfall while the plains, including Jammu city, were lashed by rains, ending a prolonged dry spell, officials said. Jammu division had recorded an 83 per cent rainfall deficit and Kashmir Valley […]
Liquor, non-veg food banned around Vaishno Devi shrine for two more months
JAMMU — Authorities have extended by two more months the ban on the sale, possession and consumption of liquor and non-vegetarian food in Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, officials said on Sunday. The prohibition will be enforced on the 12-km track from Katra […]
Natural cave of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine opened for devotees for Makar Sankranti celebrations
JAMMU — The natural cave at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district was opened for devotees for Makar Sankranti celebrations on Tuesday, officials said. The doors of the old cave was opened for devotees after special prayers which was among others attended by Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata […]




