Jammu, April 2 : Amidst chanting of Vedic Mantras and performance of other religious ceremonies, Shat Chandi Maha Yagya organised by Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board at the Holy Cave Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi commenced on Friday, the auspicious occasion of beginning of Chaitra Navratras in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. The Maha Yagya marks the onset of the nine-day long ‘Chaitra Navratra’ festival, which is being performed at the Holy Cave Shrine for peace, prosperity and health of humanity, will conclude with Purna Ahuti on Mahanavami. Chief Executive Officer, Ramesh Kumar, Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; other officers of the Shrine Board and a large number of pilgrims were present on the occasion. The Shat Chandi Maha Yagya will be telecast from 11.30 PM to 1.00 PM daily from Friday onwards during Navratras. Like in the past, the Bhawan of Mata Vaishno Devi, Atka and the area surrounding it have been profusely decorated with flowers during the Navratras. The decorations are made with indigenous-foreign fruits and flowers, as well as huge reception doors and pandals, etc. have been installed in the Bhawan Area. Likewise, the illumination of the Bhawan area with attractive and colourful lights has also been done. The breathtaking and festive decorations are a special visual delight for pilgrims who trek about 12-km from Katra to Bhawan. The Shrine Board has also made elaborate arrangements for facilitating a large number of pilgrims who are expected to pay their obeisance at the Sanctum Sanctorum during Navratras. These arrangements include ensuring round the clock water and power supply all along the tracks leading to the Shrine, sanitation and sanitisation, availability of special “fast related” food at the Board’s Bhojanalaya, etc. Besides, all the routes leading to the Holy Cave Shrine have been fully maintained for smooth movement of pilgrims. The CEO Shrine Board is constantly reviewing and monitoring the regulation of Yatra along with other arrangements all along the track and in the Bhawan Area and interacting with the pilgrims enquiring about the facilities made by the Shrine Board for their facilitation. Besides, special teams of Shrine Officers have been constituted for monitoring hassle-free operation of Yatra at all the stations on the track leading to the Holy Shrine. VBH SHK1910