Katra: Following COVID-19 protocols, special arrangements have been made for the Navratri festival at Mata Vaishno Devi temple, which commenced on Saturday.
Unlike every year, this year Navratri will be celebrated in a low-key manner. The 'Shoba Yatra' was taken with a minimum participation of people, ensuring that social distancing was maintained.
Mata Vaishno Devi has been decorated with flowers and renowned bhajan singers will perform at the Vaishno Devi Darbar on the nine days of Navratras.
The officials said that this year due to COVID-19 fewer devotees are expected to throng the temple. Earlier, around 700 to 1000 visitors used to come to the temple in a single day. However, puja and its related rituals will be performed as usual.
"Pony, Pithu, and Palki services have resumed. Helicopter and battery car services are operational too. Devotees coming from outside Jammu and Kashmir need a valid COVID-19 negative test report to enter the temple. We have a COVID-19 testing facility here too," Ramesh Kumar, CEO Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Jammu told reporters.
According to the shrine board, the per-day pilgrims limit has been increased from five thousand to seven thousand and the 'Mata Vaishno Devi' app has also been launched for devotees to experience live darshan from the comfort of their homes. Rapid Antigen Testing is being conducted for pilgrims, and masks are also mandatory as per the COVID-19 protocols.
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Divisional Commissioner Sanjiv Verma said, "This time, Navratri will be celebrated in a low-key manner in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rituals will take place as per the traditions but it will be ensured that social distancing will be maintained. Arrangements have been made for the visitors."
Verma added, "All arrangements for the devotees, who will be staying in the Bhawan, have been done. I request people to follow all the necessary guidelines in COVID times."
"The sanitization and testing facility at the temple is excellent. The shrine looks beautiful and we're so happy to be present at Mata Vaishno Devi temple during Navratri festival," Shivani Rajput, a pilgrim, said.
With ANI inputs
