KATRA, OCT 12: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, visited the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji, where she paid her obeisance at the sacred sanctum sanctorum and prayed for the prosperity and well-being of her fellow citizens.
In this significant pilgrimage, the President was accompanied by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. This visit marks the first time that Smt. Droupadi Murmu, as President, has visited the Holy Shrine. At the Panchhi Helipad, Anshul Garg, Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, extended a warm welcome to the President.
During her visit, the President inaugurated several state-of-the-art facilities designed to enhance the pilgrim experience at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. This includes a 250-meter long and 2.5 mtr. wide Skywalk project, constructed at an elevation of 20 feet above the existing track. Completed within a remarkable 14 months at a cost of Rs 15.69 crore, the Skywalk aims to alleviate the challenge of multidirectional yatra flow. This modernised structure features wooden flooring for devotee comfort in harsh weather, a waiting hall, seating for about 150 pilgrims, LED screens, and resting rooms, along with two emergency exits.
The Skywalk entrance is artistically adorned with a portrayal of Nav Durga, providing a spiritually enriched experience for devotees. Its inauguration brings about a clear separation of entry and exit routes leading to the sanctum sanctorum, ensuring a systematic and smooth movement of the yatra.
The President also inaugurated the Remodeled Parvati Bhawan, a facility that now includes 1,500 digital lockers, a waiting lounge, and washrooms and toilets for devotees. The integration of multiple facilities in one location is designed to streamline the movement of pilgrims, preventing crisscrossing in search of locker facilities and bathing spaces. This free-of-cost facility will be able to accommodate approximately 10,000 pilgrims daily. The inaugural ceremonies began with hawan and pooja rituals.
The President praised the efforts undertaken by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in facilitating pilgrimages and holy darshans for devotees.
On her return journey, the President also visited the Bhairon Temple via Passenger Ropeway to offer her obeisance.
Lieutenant Governor Sinha, who serves as the Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, briefed the President on the initiatives taken to upgrade and expand the infrastructure to enhance the pilgrimage experience.
