Chopper Service Suspended As Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Sees Fresh Snowfall financialexpress.com

The revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall, forcing the suspension of helicopter service on Tuesday, officials said. However, the pilgrimage went on smoothly with thousands of devotees trekking the snow-covered route to pay their obeisance at the 5,200 feet-high shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district, the officials said. They said light snowfall was going on in the shrine area since Monday — the first round of snow this year, and so far a few inches of snow had accumulated on the ground.

Helicopter service was suspended this morning due to inclement weather, the officials said adding that the chopper made only a few trips to and fro the shrine on Monday. The service is likely to resume once weather condition improves, they said. Despite snowfall, the officials said the pilgrimage is going on smoothly with occasional use of the ropeway and battery cars.