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| Hope revives for reopening ancient SMVD route after LG flags off Kol Kandoli Yatra | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 5: The recent flagging off of a batch of devotees from the historic Kol Kandoli Temple by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has rekindled hopes for the revival of the traditional pilgrimage route to the revered cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
The reopening of this ancient route is expected to significantly transform the socio-economic landscape of more than 25 villages situated along the route, which was once widely used by pilgrims undertaking the journey on foot.
As reported earlier, on March 22, 2026, the Lieutenant Governor flagged off the 24th Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Pracheen Marg Pavitra Chhadi Yatra from Kol Kandoli Temple. The yatra, held during the auspicious period of Chaitra Navratri, commenced with the ‘Pratham Pooja’ performed by him.
The procession followed the traditional path, carrying the sacred ‘Jyot’ to the Oli Mata Temple. The 24th edition of this annual pilgrimage highlights the heritage trail and aims to revive the spiritual and cultural connection associated with the ancient route.
With traffic congestion on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway becoming a persistent issue, demands for developing an alternative route connecting Katra—the base camp of the shrine—have been gaining momentum. Residents of nearly 25 villages have been advocating for diverting pilgrims through Nagrota and Bamyal to Katra via the revered Deva Mai Temple.
Katra serves as the base camp for the shrine and continues to witness a massive influx of devotees. In 2025, the number of pilgrims crossed 70 lakh despite challenges such as the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and devastating floods.
Locals believe that reopening the alternative route would not only ease pressure on the national highway but also boost economic activity in the villages along the stretch. The Bamyal route was once the primary route used by pilgrims from the Jammu region, who would undertake the journey on foot before the introduction of bus services led to a shift in the travel pattern.
Residents argue that the Jammu-Srinagar highway has become heavily burdened due to increasing vehicular traffic, strengthening the case for restoring the traditional route. They also emphasize that reopening the route would enhance the prominence of the Deva Mai Temple, an important religious place in the region.
According to local belief, offering prayers at Deva Mai Temple is an essential part of the pilgrimage before proceeding to the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. However, since the temple does not fall along the current route, many devotees are unable to visit it.
The revival of the traditional path is thus being seen not only as a means to ease travel but also as a step towards restoring cultural heritage and promoting inclusive regional development. |
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