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Delhi: The sacred Vaishno Devi Yatra, one of the most revered pilgrimages in India, has been temporarily postponed on September 14, 2025, due to heavy rainfall and multiple landslides in the region. Thousands of devotees who had planned their visit to the holy shrine in Jammu and Kashmir have been advised to reschedule their journey until conditions improve and take proper precautions. About Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, which was to start from Sunday, September 14, has been postponed till further orders. This information is given by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. According to the officials, the yatra will remain postponed till further orders are issued. Due to heavy rainfall and landslides in many regions of Jammu in August, the devotees were stuck on the mountain. After that, they were rescued and they were taken to safe places, but the heavy rainfall caused widespread destruction. The yatra halted on August 26 after that incident, and it was to start on Sunday, September 14. However, the yatra has been postponed again due to heavy rainfall in Jammu & Kashmir. Safety measures The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), in coordination with local administration, has suspended the yatra to ensure the safety of devotees. In a statement, the Shrine Board urged the believers planning to undertake the pilgrimage to stay informed via official communication channels. Advice for devotees Officials have urged devotees to avoid unnecessary travel to Katra until further announcements are made. Arrangements for food, shelter, and medical facilities have been provided for those already present in the area. Once the weather stabilises, authorities will issue fresh updates on the resumption of the pilgrimage. About the Vaishno Devi Yatra Goddess Vaishno is represented by three natural rocks, which are known as pindies. The natural rock symbolises Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati. The significance of the Vaishno Devi Yatra goes beyond mere devotion; it is a journey that symbolises the inner quest for spiritual fulfillment and enlightenment. Pilgrims embark on this trek with faith and devotion, often overcoming physical challenges along the way. Overall, the Vaishno Devi Yatra represents a blend of faith, history, and cultural heritage, making it a profound experience for all who undertake the journey.
PRAYAGRAJ, India (AP) -- Millions of Hindu devotees, mystics and holy men and women from all across India flocked to the northern city of Prayagraj on Monday to kickstart the Maha Kumbh festival, which is being touted as the world's largest religious gathering. Over about the next six weeks, Hindu pilgrims will gather at the confluence of three sacred rivers -- the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati -- where they will take part in elaborate rituals, hoping to begin a journey to achieve Hindu philosophy's ultimate goal: the release from the cycle of rebirth. Here's what to know abo ...Read More >
Katra (J-K) | Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate on Friday the world's tallest bridge over Chenab river ahead of dedicating to the nation the much-awaited Kashmir rail service here. After his arrival at the Air Force station in Udhampur, the prime minister left in a chopper to inaugurate the bridge over Chenab. A multi-tier security setup has been put in place for the prime minister's visit, his first to the Union Territory post Operation Sindoor launched by the Indian Armed Forces across the border to hit terrorist infrastructure during the intervening night on May 6 and 7 in ...Read More >
Katra (JK), Jun 6 (PTI) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday raked up the issue of restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir at the flagging off of the maiden train to Kashmir by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this pilgrim town. "There are four persons on this stage who were present at the inauguration of the Katra railway station (in 2014). You had just won the election, becoming the Prime Minister for the first time. MoS in PMO Jeetendra Singh was present then and our LG Manoj Sinha sahib was discharging duties as MoS Railways and I was here as chief minister. "If you see, by the bl ...Read More >
Katra, June 6 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said Pakistan engineered Pahalgam terror attack to hurt Kashmir's economy and brotherhood in the country, but its evil designs failed and Indian Armed Forces hit the neighbouring country deep inside. "Pakistan attacked both humanity and Kashmiriyat in Pahalgam. Its intention was to incite riots in India and disrupt the livelihoods of hardworking Kashmiris. By attacking tourists, Pakistan aimed to damage the region's economy and peace," Modi said while addressing a massive gathering. Recalling the start of Operation Sindoor exactly a ...Read More >
Kanpur, January 27: Due to the massive influx of devotees for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, Varanasi's District Magistrate in Uttar Pradesh has announced that all schools in the district will be closed from Monday, January 27, 2025, to Wednesday, February 5, 2025. The decision is aimed at ensuring the safety of students and managing traffic congestion caused by the large number of pilgrims arriving in Varanasi for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Despite the school closures, online classes will continue as usual to maintain the academic schedule, News18 reported. This directive applies to all CBSE, ICSE ...Read More >
Uttarakhand (Dehradun) [India], May 19 (ANI): The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rain in the hilly districts of Uttarakhand, effective today and tomorrow. In light of this warning, the Uttarakhand Police have issued a safety advisory for pilgrims undertaking the Chardham Yatra. Pilgrims are advised to exercise caution while travelling, consider the weather conditions, and call 112 in case of any emergency." Authorities are working to ensure public safety and minimise disruptions," said the police authorities. In light of the forecast, the Uttarakh ...Read More >
Katra/Jammu, Jun 5 (PTI) Union minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring a speedy completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project after taking office in 2014 and said it marks the beginning of a historic journey in setting up the world's highest railway bridge in Jammu and Kashmir. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab river and the Anji Khad bridge, India's first cable-stayed bridge, before flagging off Vande Bharat trains to mark the completio ...Read More >
Katra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate on Friday the world's tallest bridge over Chenab river ahead of dedicating to the nation the much-awaited Kashmir rail service here. After he arrived at the Air Force station in Udhampur, the prime minister left in a chopper to inaugurate the bridge over Chenab. A multi-tier security setup has been put in place for the prime minister's visit, his first to the Union Territory post Operation Sindoor launched by the Indian Armed Forces across the border to hit terrorist infrastructure during the intervening night on May 6 and 7 in retaliat ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate a series of monumental infrastructure projects, including Chenab Bridge - the world's highest railway bridge and flag off the much-awaited Vande Bharat Express train from Katra to Srinagar. Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information & Publicity of the Railway Board hailed the occasion as one of the most historic milestones since India's independence. "On this historic day, by the grace of Mata Vaishno Devi, PM Modi is dedicating to the nation a project that is being discussed across the world. If we look ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 18 (PTI) The Pakistan high commission on Wednesday said it issued 84 visas to Indian pilgrims to visit the Shree Katas Raj temples in Punjab province's Chakwal district. The group has been given visas to visit the Katas Raj temples from December 19 to 25. The temples are also known as Qila Katas. It is a complex of several Hindu temples connected to one another by walkways. Under the provision of a bilateral protocol on visits to religious shrines, Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan every year.Pakistani pilgrims also visit India every year under the protocol. ...Read More >
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Jitendra Singh reached Katra in Reasi district on Thursday to review arrangements a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, officials said. On Friday, the prime minister is scheduled to inaugurate the Chenab bridge and the Anji bridge, India's first cable-stayed bridge, the symbol of the country's engineering excellence, before flagging off Vande Bharat trains to mark the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) that will provide ...Read More >
Srinagar: Railway stations across the Kashmir Valley have been beautifully decked out as preparations peak for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to flag off the inaugural Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express -- the first-ever train connecting the valley directly to the rest of India. This landmark train will depart from Delhi and travel through Katra, the gateway to the revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, before reaching Srinagar. The event marks the successful culmination of one of India's most ambitious infrastructure projects, featuring two engineering marvels: the world's highest railway bridge o ...Read More >
Srinagar: Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is flagging off the Vande Bharat train service between Kashmir and Jammu today, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party has demanded that the train should be renamed after the Pahalgam attack victim, who died while saving tourists. PDP spokesperson Zuhaib Mir said that while the train service between Jammu and Kashmir is a historical event, it should be renamed as 'Syed Adil Vande Bharat Express'. Syed Adil Shah of Pahalgam was the penny operator who was killed by terrorists in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam in Anantnag district on April 22, when 2 ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused Pakistan of attacking 'insaniyat' and Kashmiriyat by targeting tourists in Pahalgam, saying the intent was to trigger communal clashes in India and rob Kashmiri people dependent on tourism of their livelihoods. The prime minister was speaking after flagging off the first train service to the Kashmir Valley, and inaugurating several development projects, including the world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab river and India's first cable-stayed Anji bridge. He said tourism provided employment and acts as a connecting link between ...Read More >
Jammu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat Express trains connecting Katra to Srinagar, marking a historic moment for railway connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir. The trains crossed the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, shortly after their inauguration. Key Highlights of Newly Launched Vande Bharat: Vande Bharat Express train flagged off by PM Modi from Katra today arrives at Srinagar. School students aboard the New Vande Bharat Express experience pure wonder as they get mesmerised by the beauty of the glorious Chenab Bridge. The newly launched Katra-Sr ...Read More >
SRINAGAR/KATRA: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday expressed optimism about Jammu and Kashmir's statehood being restored sooner than later. Terming the Centre's splitting the erstwhile state of J&K into two Union territories in August 2019 as "demotion", Abdullah said, "I was the Chief Minister of a state. Now I'm the Chief Minister of a Union Territory. But I firmly believe that this will be corrected very soon -- and it will be under your leadership and with your support, Mr. Prime Minister, that Jammu and Kashmir will once again regain the status of a full-fledged state." The Chief Min ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 5: Uttar Pradesh's Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh expressed confidence that Mahakumbh 2025 will play a pivotal role in showcasing India's rich cultural heritage and Sanatan traditions globally. Speaking on the progress of preparations, he told IANS, "The arrangements for Mahakumbh are progressing in full swing. We are committed to welcoming all devotees, irrespective of their origin -- whether from different states of India or other countries. We aim to host them with unmatched arrangements that combine magnificence, divinity, and cultural vibrancy." "This gran ...Read More >
Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 5 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Jitendra Singh inspected the Katra railway station and the Vande Bharat train on Thursday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on June 6. PM Modi will flag off the first Vande Bharat train to Kashmir on Friday. CM Omar Abdullah said, 'If I tell you that I have been waiting for this moment for a long time, it will still not be enough. This rail project began when I was in the 7th or 8th class. Now, even my children have started working after completing school and college ...Read More >
Ramban (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 6 (ANI): Security forces conducted thorough inspections and heightened vigilance in Ramban, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Katra on Friday. Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, and flag off the Vande Bharat Express train between Katra and Srinagar. Security personnel conducted sweeping inspections, including dog squad deployments and comprehensive vehicle checks. Also Read | Chinnaswamy Stampede: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Suspends Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda, Orders ...Read More >
Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 6 (ANI): Security has been heightened at the Udhampur Railway Station ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Katra on Friday during wich he will inaugurate the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, and flag off the Vande Bharat Express train between Katra and Srinagar. Ahead of flagging off the Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar on June 6, marking the completion of the Katra-Sangaldan rail link project, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that key infrastructure projects worth Rs 46,000 crores, which are being inau ...Read More >
Jammu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday described the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) as a historic milestone and a symbol of national integration, as he flagged off the first Vande Bharat train between Katra and Srinagar. Speaking at a massive public gathering in Katra, Modi called the moment "a grand celebration of India's unity and willpower." "With the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, Kashmir has now been connected to India's vast railway network," he said. "For decades, the phrase 'Kashmir to Kanyakumari' has represented a dream of national unity -- ...Read More >
SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the iconic Chenab Bridge, Anji rail bridge and Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project and flagged off Vande Bharat Trains, connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha called it a momentous occasion that will go down in history. In his address, the Lieutenant Governor expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dedicating the historic railway projects to the people of Jammu Kashmir and the nation. "Kashmir to Kanyakumari is no longer a ...Read More >
Credit: AP | The Vande Bharat Express train arrives at Srinagar railway station during a trial run ahead of its inauguration, which will connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India, on the outskirts of Srinagar Katra to Srinagar Vande Bharat Express: The upcoming Katra to Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is set to revolutionise travel in Jammu and Kashmir. This semi-high-speed train service will offer faster, more efficient connectivity between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) and Srinagar, reducing the travel time drastically compared to road journeys. The Vande Bharat Express will co ...Read More >
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 27 (ANI): The ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj has witnessed an extraordinary surge in devotees, with over 6.019 million pilgrims taking the holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers as of 12 pm on Monday, as per Uttar Pradesh government. Earlier today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday took a holy dip at the Sangam Triveni in Prayagraj in the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela. Also Read | Uttarakhand Becomes First State To Implement Uniform Civil Code; CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Launches UCC Portal, Credits People for Implementatio ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday announced that it would streamline its technology-driven system for generating Index Cards and various other post-election statistical reports. The new system will ensure faster reporting through automation and data integration. "This upgraded mechanism replaces the traditional manual methods, which were often time-consuming and prone to delays. By leveraging automation and data integration, the new system ensures faster reporting," the press note issued by the Election Commission read. Also Read | Delhi: Hig ...Read More >
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday took strong action against the police officers allegedly responsible for the Bengaluru stampede, suspending several high-ranking officials, including the city's police commissioner. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced a one-man commission to probe the lapses that triggered the deadly stampede. "Cubbon Park Police Station police inspector, station house master, station house officer, ACP, Central Division DCP, cricket stadium in-charge, additional commissioner of police, commissioner of police have been susp ...Read More >
KATRA, Jun 6: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said that the dream of a truly united India -- from Kashmir to Kanyakumari -- is no longer a mere slogan, but a lived reality, thanks to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has dedicated the Kashmir rail project to the nation. Addressing a gathering after PM Modi inaugurated Chenab Bridge, Anji Bridge and flagged off train to Kashmir, LG Sinha said, "By flagging off the Vande Bharat trains and dedicating the Kashmir rail project to the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has physically and emotionally united t ...Read More >
J&K lieutenant governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Friday called inauguration of Kashmir rail project "a momentous occasion that will go down in history". In his address, Sinha expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dedicating the historic railway projects to the people of Jammu Kashmir and the nation. "Kashmir to Kanyakumari is no longer just a slogan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has turned this decade-long dream into reality. He has connected the hearts of millions of Indians, forging an unbreakable bond from north to south. With Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Ra ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 6 : Kashmir valley got connected with the rest of India with the inauguration of ... New Delhi [India], June 6 : Kashmir valley got connected with the rest of India with the inauguration of the much-awaited and world's highest railway arch bridge over the river Chenab by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. The architectural marvel Chenab Rail Bridge, situated 359 metres above the river, is the world's highest railway arch bridge. It is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge engineered to withstand seismic and wind cond ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Gundicha Temple, where the deities of Jagannath temple were born, is being prepared for a visual transformation through enhancement work before Rath Yatra on June 27."The beautification work includes stone-cladding of the outer boundary wall, landscaping and illumination arrangements to welcome the deities at their place of birth during Rath Yatra. The aesthetic transformation will give a visual delight to the deities and devotees," chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Arabinda Kumar Padhee told TOI.The temple's exterior boundary wall, previously co ...Read More >