Vaishno Devi yatra resumes after night-long halt

JAMMU: The Vaishno Devi yatra resumed Thursday morning from Katra town in Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir after a night-long halt due to inclement weather, with the authorities starting fresh registration of pilgrims.

Suspended on Aug 26 after a landslide on the trek route led to multiple deaths, the yatra was earlier scheduled to begin on Sept 14, but had to be postponed again. An official said the yatra resumed on Wednesday morning but had to be halted in the evening due to bad weather.

An official said more than 2,300 pilgrims had registered by Thursday afternoon, of whom 75 devotees opted for helicopters, while the rest preferred to go on foot.

Local traders, including hoteliers, ponywallas and transporters, expressed happiness over the resumption of the yatra, especially ahead of the festive season starting Sept 22.
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