Sumana Mukherjee

Thousands of devotees from across the country thronged the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu as the nine-day long ‘Chaitra Navratri’ commenced on Tuesday.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine which is located atop the serene hills holds a pleasant view forthe devotees. During the Navratri it gets lavishly ornamented with vibrant flowers.  

A view of the Bhawan of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji and Atka decorated with flowers on the occasion of commencement of Chaitra Navratra's. pic.twitter.com/pGq0nzOSZX

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Over the years the tradition of decorating the temple with vivacious flowers emerged as the most interesting part of the Navratri festival here.

The shrine has been specially decorated for Navratri with intricate colourful lighting, floral arrangements, coupled with traditional motifs and embellishments

‘Shat Chandi Maha Yagya’, a special havan organised by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), was performed at the holy cave.

A spokesperson of the Board saidthe sacred rituals at the shrine, spanning across the Navratri are being performed to foster accord, abundance and well-beingfor all.

The Board has made some special arrangements like round-the-clock water and power supply along the tracks leading to the shrine, sanitation and medical facilities and availability of special ‘fasting food’ at the board’s ‘bhojanalayas’,

For the ease and comfort of pilgrims, facilities such as accommodation, battery-operated vehicles, passenger ropeways and helicopter services have been provided and are operating smoothly,” he added.

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Other special features of the Navratri celebration in Vaishno Devi shrine include ‘bhajan’ and ‘atka aarti’ by renowned artists