Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra will remain suspended from tomorrow to 7th of this month due to inclement weather conditions in Jammu and Kashmir.
The decision has been taken keeping in mind the safety and well-being of the pilgrims. Devotees are advised to follow official updates issued by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board through its website and other authorised communication channels.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board on Saturday announced the suspension of the pilgrimage to the shrine in the Trikuta Hills near Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra town from October 5 – 7. This follows the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD’s) forecast of “very heavy rains” in the region during the period.
“In view of the inclement weather advisory…Vaishno Devi yatra shall remain suspended from 5th to 7th October 2025 & will resume on 08/10/2025. Devotees may stay updated through official channels,” the Shrine Board stated in a post on X.
The decision to suspend the yatra has been taken as a precautionary measure in view of the apprehension of landslides, flooding, and cloudbursts, official sources said, asking pilgrims not to travel to Katra town, which acts as a base camp for the yatris proceeding to the holy shrine.
The Vaishno Devi Yatra had earlier been suspended for 22 days following the death of 34 people, mostly pilgrims, after a massive landslide hit the yatra track near Adh Kunwari on August 26. It was later resumed on September 17.
More than 1.70 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy shrine during the recent Navratri period.
The SMVDSB made the announcement through its social media account, X (formerly Twitter):
“Yatra Update. In light of inclement weather warning issued by the Indian Meteorological Department, Vaishno Devi Yatra will remain suspended from 5th to 7th October 2025 & will restart on 08/10/2025. Pilgrims can remain informed through authentic sources.”
The yatra is to resume on Wednesday, October 8, subject to the weather clearing and conditions normalizing.
Precautionary Measure Against Landslide Threat.
Official authorities have instructed pilgrims to check official sources for the latest information before embarking on their pilgrimage. The Yatra suspension has been ordered as a preventive measure in view of the high threat perception for landslides, flooding, and cloudbursts that follow heavy rainfalls in the hill state.
It is the urgent need for this increased care in view of recent past tragic experience in the weather in the region.
Pilgrimage Resumed Recently After Fatal Landslide
The Shrine Board’s conservative stance comes on the heels of several suspensions of the Yatra this year because of unfavorable weather conditions. Just recently, the pilgrimage had resumed on September 17 after a long 22-day break.