This is the state of affairs at Vaishnodevi, one of the better managed shrine boards. There is absolutely no doubt that things have become a lot better for pilgrims after shrine board was established. I was in Katra waiting for Darshan with my family when this happened. 1/n
The average pilgrim waiting for Darshan welcomed it. Pandas went on strike in protest. So a few Brahmins from the security were dressed up as pandas and the Darshan was resumed. Have been to Vaishnodevi several times before and after the takeover. Things have only improved. 2/n
Why did people not object? Because pandas would hold up Darshan for hours for private pujas, keeping others waiting out. Facilities were non existent. The climb was downright dangerous with a death or two every day due to people falling off the narrow broken road. 3/n
Maharaja Karan Singh did nothing for pilgrims. Jagmohan did. People remember and appreciate him for this reason. But with this improvement have come several changes that are not palatable. The traditional route via Sanjichhat is now a mule route. Due to this, 4/n
Traditional first darshan of Bhavan from Sanjichhat is now gone as new route bypasses this highest point and reaches Bhavan directly. The incessant blasting done to create this route has made landslides common and the mountain face unstable. 5/n
The entire Vaishnodevi Forest reserve around the Bhavan was shockingly denotified without so much as a whimper from environmentalists. Mining licenses were given hardly 500m away from Bhavan by Omar Abdullah and UPA. 6/n
Work on the proposed road from Katra directly to Bhavan was continued despite tremendous opposition from locals. This would sound the death knell of Katra town itself as people could visit and return to Bhavan without stopping at Katra overnight. 7/n
Going to leave this thread with all details here.
In summary, do I want govt control of the shrine? No. Do I want Karan Singh and the Baridars back? Absolutely not. The only sensible solution seems to be a group of trustees from Katra who care enough for Mata and Her devotees to maintain sanctity and provide good facilities. 9/9
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