Vaishno Devi Shuts Down Key Services After Landslide, Is The Shrine Still Open To Pilgrims? Check

A major landslide struck the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route on Monday, forcing the shutdown of key transport services. The landslide, caused by heavy rainfall, hit Himkoti and nearby areas on the Trikuta hills, where the shrine is located. Stones and debris blocked a portion of the road, halting battery car services and affecting travel.

The rain began around noon and continued for over two hours. With rocks and mud falling across parts of the route, officials had to act quickly. While the battery car path was closed, the traditional walking route stayed open, and thousands of devotees continued their journey to the temple.

Vaishno Devi Landslide: Battery Car, Helicopter And Cable Services Suspended

The landslide didn't just affect one mode of transport. For the fifth straight day, helicopter services were suspended due to bad weather. The cable car between Vaishno Devi Bhawan and Bhairav Valley was also shut down to avoid risks. This left pilgrims with only one way forward - on foot, or using mules and palanquins.

Even so, the Shrine Board confirmed that repair work is already underway. An official stated, “We are repairing the route, and it will be operational soon.” Security teams from the Shrine Board, police, CRPF, and disaster response forces are now posted at several points to keep a close watch. Visitors are being advised to stay alert and not stop near risky areas.

#WATCH : Vaishno Devi Landslide : Torrential rain in Vaishno Devi, the way to reach Mata destroyed #vaishnodevi #vaishnodeviyatra #devotees #jammukashmirnews #jknews #landslide pic.twitter.com/DkGIZp7HND

— Zee J&K Ladakh (@ZeeJKLadakh) June 24, 2025

Devotees March On Despite Chaos

On June 22, over 34,000 people made the climb. As of 4 pm on Monday, 18,800 more had started the trek, with numbers rising through the day. Many are seen walking through muddy trails, chanting “Jai Mata Di” and helping one another along the tough path.

So, is the Vaishno Devi shrine still open? Yes,  though not all services are running, the Yatra hasn’t been called off. Pilgrims are still allowed to visit using the traditional route. Officials continue to monitor the situation and are expected to update on full service restoration soon.