Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Jammu and Kashmir Governor Manoj Sinha visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple to offer prayers at the revered pilgrimage site in Katra on Saturday.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday reminded the graduating students of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University about the "rapidly evolving world" which is marked by rapid development of artificial intelligence, climate change and intense global competition.
The train will run through Anji Khad Bridge which is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge and Chenab Bridge which is the highest railway bridge in the world.
Ahead of the commencement of the Maha Kumbh, Union Minister and MP from Udhampur Jitendra Singh informed that railway authorities have planned three special trains to and fro Katra-Prayagraj for the convenience of those attending the religious event.
Anshul Garg, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SMVDSB, said, "94.83 lakh pilgrims pay obeisance at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in 2024, the second highest number in a decade."
The Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Committee has called for a 72-hour bandh in Katra starting Wednesday to oppose the Rs 250 crore ropeway project near the Vaishno Devi shrine.
More than 90 lakh devotees have visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir for the third consecutive year, as reported by authorities on Thursday.
Pony and palanquin owners, who routinely assist thousands of pilgrims on the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine route in Jammu called the protest on November 22 that continues till today opposing the Rs 250-crore ropeway project between Tarakote Marg and Sanji Chhat along the 12-km route.
Indian Railways will be operating serval special trains following Chhath Puja festival from stations like Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Jammu Tawi, Amritsar and Ludhiana, said Ferozepur DCM Payal on Monday.
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will likely visit Mata Vaishno Devi to seek her blessings. He affirmed his intentions via a post on the social media platform X on Monday morning.