Landslide Hits Vaishno Devi Track; Yatra Unaffected, Battery Car Service Suspended
9 July 20267 min readDevMarg
A landslide triggered by heavy rain struck the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi yatra track on the Trikuta hills on Wednesday evening. The battery car service was temporarily suspended for safety, but the pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine remained unaffected as devotees continued their journey through the old track.
Key highlights
A rain-triggered landslide struck the Vaishno Devi track atop the Trikuta hills on Wednesday evening, 8 July 2026.
The landslide occurred near Himkoti on the new track, forcing a temporary suspension of the battery car service.
The yatra remained unaffected, with hundreds of pilgrims continuing their to-and-fro trek through the old track.
The helicopter service from Katra was also suspended due to bad weather and heavy rain.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board rushed men and machines to clear the debris and restore the route.
Heavy rain lashed Jammu and nearby areas through the night and day, affecting normal life across the region.
What Happened
A landslide hit the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine track on the evening of Wednesday, 8 July 2026, officials said. It was triggered by heavy rainfall over the Trikuta hills in Katra town of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to officials, the landslide came down near Himkoti on the new track that leads to the holy cave shrine. Debris fell across the route, and the battery car service running on this stretch was stopped at once as a safety measure.
There was no report of any injury to pilgrims. Security personnel and Shrine Board staff moved quickly to guide devotees and keep the movement on the tracks safe and orderly.
Heavy Rain Disrupts the Region
The landslide was part of a wider spell of heavy rain. Officials said rain lashed Jammu and many other areas of the region through the night and into Wednesday, throwing normal life out of gear at several places.
Katra, the base camp for the pilgrimage, received heavy rain for several hours in the evening. The weather department had already been tracking active monsoon conditions over Jammu and Kashmir, and the hills around the shrine are prone to landslides when the rain is heavy.
Battery Car Service Suspended
The battery car service was temporarily suspended right after the landslide. Officials said it will remain suspended until the affected stretch near Himkoti is fully cleared and declared safe for movement.
The battery car runs on the newer Himkoti track and mainly serves senior citizens, children and devotees who are not able to make the full trek on foot. The service is operated only by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, and pilgrims are advised to check the current status before planning to use it.
Battery car service
At a glance
Route
Runs on the Himkoti track between Ardhkuwari and Bhawan
Who can use it
Mainly senior citizens and devotees who are medically unable to trek
Booking
Only through the official Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board website
Documents
Valid Yatra Parchi and a government photo ID are required
Current status
Temporarily suspended after the landslide, pending clearance
Helicopter Service Also Hit
The helicopter service to the shrine from base camp Katra also remained suspended on Wednesday. Officials said the service could not operate because of bad weather and frequent rain over the area.
Helicopter operations at Vaishno Devi depend heavily on clear weather and good visibility. During the monsoon, the service is often paused for the safety of pilgrims when clouds and rain reduce visibility.
Yatra Continues on the Old Track
The pilgrimage to the revered shrine remained unaffected. Hundreds of pilgrims continued their to-and-fro trek despite the landslide, officials said, as the yatra carried on smoothly through the old, traditional track.
This traditional path is the route most pilgrims have walked for decades. Because it was not affected by the landslide, darshan at the Bhawan continued as usual for devotees who chose to walk.
Shrine Board Clears the Route
Soon after the incident, teams of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board pressed men and machinery into service. They began removing the debris to restore movement on the affected stretch as quickly as possible.
The Shrine Board and the local administration are watching the situation closely. The speed of restoration depends on the weather, as fresh rain can slow down the clearing of the track.
A Recurring Monsoon Challenge
Landslides on the Himkoti stretch are not new during the monsoon. In a similar incident during the 2023 rains, a landslide struck the Himkoti battery car track in the evening and forced a brief suspension of the service. On that occasion, the route was cleared and the service resumed within a couple of hours.
These incidents show why the Shrine Board keeps men and machines on standby during the rainy months. Quick clearance work usually helps restore the battery car service once the weather settles and the track is declared safe.
Understanding the Two Tracks
There are two main tracks from the base to the Bhawan. Knowing the difference helps pilgrims plan better, especially during the monsoon.
Old track: The traditional walking path used by most pilgrims for years. This route continued to remain open during the landslide.
New Himkoti track: A wider, cleaner route where the battery car runs. Ponies are not allowed here. This is the stretch where the landslide occurred.
Advice for Pilgrims Right Now
Check the latest status of the battery car and helicopter services before you plan to use them.
Follow updates and advisories from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the local administration.
Book the battery car, helicopter and rooms only through the official Shrine Board website, not through private agents.
Carry rain protection and wear proper footwear, as the tracks can be slippery during the monsoon.
Keep extra time in hand and stay calm, as routes may be regulated for safety during heavy rain.
Elderly pilgrims and families with children should plan their trek carefully and rest when needed.
About the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in India. It is set in the Trikuta hills near Katra in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, at a height of about 5,200 feet.
The main trek to the Bhawan is about 13 kilometres from the Katra base camp. Pilgrims can walk, or use ponies, palanquins, the battery car or the helicopter service. Inside the holy cave, the Goddess is worshipped in the form of three natural rock forms, known as the Pindis of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Vaishno Devi Yatra open after the landslide?
Yes. The yatra remained unaffected. Pilgrims continued their journey to and from the shrine through the old track while the new route was being cleared.
Why was the battery car service suspended?
The landslide brought debris down near Himkoti on the new track, where the battery car runs. The service was stopped as a safety measure until the route is cleared and declared safe.
Is the helicopter service running?
The helicopter service from Katra was suspended due to bad weather and heavy rain. It usually resumes once the weather clears and visibility improves.
Where exactly did the landslide occur?
The landslide occurred near Himkoti on the new track leading to the holy cave shrine, atop the Trikuta hills in Reasi district.
When will the battery car service resume?
Officials have said the service will resume only after the affected stretch is cleared, checked for safety and the weather improves. In past similar incidents, the service was restored within a few hours.
How can pilgrims stay updated?
Pilgrims should follow advisories from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the local administration, and book all services only through the official website.
Jai Mata Di
Sources: Officials of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the local administration in Reasi district, as reported in the press through news agency inputs; details of shrine services from the official Shrine Board information available at the time of publishing.
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