KATRA: The religious trust in charge of overseeing the operations and management of the shrine has announced that the hallowed old cave of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir will be accessible for darshan for approximately twelve hours each day. The old cave will be available for darshan from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the day and from 10.30 p.m. to 5 a.m. at night, according to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB). It is anticipated that this addition will provide devotees greater freedom in scheduling their visits and guarantee a more seamless darshan experience. “Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has decided to keep the old cave open from 10 am to 4 pm and from 10.30 pm to 5 am, to allow devotees to have darshan easily,” the organisation stated in a statement. Nestled amid the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine welcomes millions of devotees from all over the nation every year. The cave, which is devoted to the goddess Vaishno Devi, is regarded as one of the most sacred and respected locations in Hinduism. The limited proportions of the original cave, thought to be a natural creation, mean that its entrance is blocked for much of the year. For an individual, navigating the cavern to reach the sanctum sanctorum requires several minutes. Two additional caves have been cut out for entry and departure in order to accommodate a greater number of people. The old cave is only exposed on certain days, usually on slower days or for special occasions like holidays and rituals.
