The revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, perched high on the Trikuta hills in Jammu and Kashmir, witnessed its first snowfall of the season on Friday, draping the Bhawan complex and the Bhairon Temple in a pristine white layer. The sudden change in weather led authorities to temporarily stop the pilgrimage from the Katra base camp as a precautionary measure.

Continuous rainfall in the lower regions and fresh snow accumulation along the upper stretches made the track slippery and visibility poor, raising safety concerns for pilgrims. In response, on-the-spot registrations were suspended and helicopter services were also paused to avoid any untoward incidents.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board shared photographs of the snow-covered temples on social media, describing the scene as one of serene and “divine bliss,” which quickly drew attention from devotees and nature lovers alike.

Weather conditions also brought snowfall to several other Himalayan destinations, including Shimla, Manali and Srinagar, signalling the onset of winter across the region.

After a thorough assessment of the route and improvement in conditions, officials later allowed the Yatra to resume in a controlled manner. Authorities confirmed that no major mishaps were reported during the brief suspension and advised pilgrims to remain cautious and follow official guidelines while undertaking the journey.