MVDSB to provide helicopter service from Jammu Airport to Panchhi helipad for Navratri celebrations

In Jammu and Kashmir, as all big and small temples are gearing up for nine-day Navratri celebrations beginning tomorrow, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (MVDSB) is mulling a direct helicopter service from Jammu Airport to the Panchhi helipad near the shrine in Trikuta Hills.

Expressing happiness over the decision on a social media post, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that during this Navratra, pilgrims would get the gift of direct helicopter service from Jammu to Vaishno Devi Bhawan.

The move comes as part of its continued endeavours to streamline the pilgrimage and provide better facilities. Though the fare is yet to be finalised, it is expected to be below five thousand rupees per passenger for a one-way journey. Once the service starts, the pilgrims can book their tickets online and offline.

The Katra town, the base camp for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Trikuta Hills, the nine-day-long Navratra festival will commence with religious fervour and gaiety from the 15th of October. All preparations for a smooth pilgrimage to the cave shrine have been made by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

The festival will attract more tourists and promote religious and pilgrimage tourism in the region. This year the Navratri festival will for the first time feature Karnataka’s renowned ‘Yakshagana’ theatre presentation centred around Mata Vaishno Devi.

Likewise, preparations were finalised at other major temples of the Jammu division including Bawe Wali Mata, Chichi Mata, Surkala Mata Temple, Kol Kandoli, Chandi Mata Temple in Bhaderwah and Padder Kishtwar.

The temples are illuminated and decorated to welcome devotees during the festivals. In some parts, Nav Durga Katha and Ramleela will also stage during the festival. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also expressed his happiness over the decision.