Jammu: The nine-day Shat Chandi Maha Yagya, organised by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) during the auspicious occasion of Shardiya Navratras, concluded with spiritual fervour and devotion on Mahanavami festival on Tuesday, an official said.
The ‘Purnahuti’ ceremony was performed amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras, invoking divine blessings for universal peace, prosperity and the well-being of all, a spokesman of the Shrine Board said.
He said SMVDSB chief executive officer Sachin Kumar Vaishya, along with senior officers and staff of the Shrine Board and a large number of pilgrims, participated in the concluding rituals.
The Maha Yagya was performed by a group of pandits led by Padma Shri Prof Vishwamurti Shastri, lending spiritual sanctity and significance to the sacred occasion, the spokesman said.
He said an average of over 40,000 pilgrims paid obeisance at the shrine located atop Trikuta Hills daily during the Navratras, taking the cumulative number of pilgrims to over four lakh since the commencement of Navratras.
This marks a significant increase over the approximately 1.78 lakh pilgrims who visited the holy shrine during the corresponding period of last year’s Shardiya Navratras, reflecting the growing enthusiasm and devotion among pilgrims, the spokesman said.
To facilitate a smooth, safe and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage, he said the Shrine Board put in place elaborate arrangements for the convenience of devotees.
