A 7 km alternate route to Vaishno Devi Temple thrown open for pilgrims

An alternate 7 km route to the Vaishno Devi temple, known as Tarakote Marg, has been thrown open for pilgrims. As per the officials, this new 7 km route will pass atop a hillock overlooking Katra township in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
As per a news release, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurating the Tarakote Marg on May 19. N N Vohra, Jammu and Kashmir Governor and also the chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMSVB), visited the shrine recently to inspect the above mentioned track and facilities that are available and planned to ensure convenience of pilgrims.

The Tarakote Marg will let pedestrian pilgrims enjoy clear, cleaner and scenic views. Two bhojanalayas and seven toilet blocks have been also constructed along the route for the convenience of travellers. A medical unit has been set up, equipped with paramedics, medicines and other aids to help pilgrims around-the-clock.
The entire route has been designed in such a way that there are no steps and the path has an average and smooth gradient of one in 12, which has been further enhanced with interlocking anti-skid tiles to make walking easier for pilgrims.

Anshul Garg, Additional Chief Executive Officer of SMVSB, informed that it took 7 years to build the 7 km alternate route and around INR 80 crore has been invested on it. He further said that to ensure free, filtered drinking water for pilgrims, 16 water ATMs have been installed so far at approximate intervals of 400-500 m.

It is expected that this new route will add to the convenience of pilgrims and make their journey more comfortable.