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| Vaishno Devi pilgrims want Ardh Kuwari cave open | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Sep 29 : The Vaishno Devi pilgrims felt dejected due to the closure of 'Ardh Kuwari' cave en route Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine situated in Trikuta Hills of Reasi district, sources here today said.
Lakhs of pilgrims visiting from across the country to pay obeisance at the Vaishno Devi Shrine were returning "unhappy" as they missed an opportunity of passing through the ‘Garabhjun’, commonly famous as ‘Ardh Kuwari’.
‘’Over three lakh pilgrims from different parts of the state, who visited the Vaishno Devi shrine, missed a chance of entering through the ‘Garabhjun’, which is believed to be one of the pious step in the yatra,’’ the sources told .‘’Every year we visit the Vaishno Devi shrine during Navratras but this is for the first time, we could not pass through the Ardh Kuwari cave,’’ Akhilesh Prabhakar of Mumbai said.The shopkeepers at Ardh Kuwari also felt dejected as the closure of the cave had affected their routine business.
‘’Pilgrims prefer to move ahead than halting at Ardh Kuwari station en route Bhawan due to closure of the cave for the past two months,’’ a shopkeeper rued adding that it has affected them economically.
Meanwhile, the Shrine Board officials said that the cave had been closed due to the heavy rush of the pilgrims. ‘’Due to heavy rush of devotees especially during Navratras, the ‘Garabhjun’ was closed to avoid chaos,’’ M K Bhandari, Additional Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) said adding that passing through the cave consumes time, which adds on rush at the ‘Ardh Kuwari’.
The CEO, however, added that devotees perform ‘puja’ and have ‘darshans’ outside the cave but it is under consideration.
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