Jammu, March 28 -- Over three lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Trikuta hills of Katra during the nine-day-long Navratri festival that concluded on Friday, said officials. During the festival, a Shat Chandi Maha Yagya, was also organised by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) for world peace, harmony, prosperity and the well-being of humanity, they added. It concluded on the occasion of Ram Navami. Sachin Kumar Vaishya, chief executive officer, SMVDSB, along with officers and staff of the shrine board and a large number of pilgrims, participated in the sacred rituals. The yagya was conducted by a distinguished group of pandits led by Padma Shri prof Vishwamurti Shastri. "The Navratri witnessed an overwhelming response from devotees, with over three lakh pilgrims paying obeisance. On average, around 37,000 pilgrims visited the shrine daily. The yatra has shown a steady upward trend in 2026, with approximately 18,76,715 devotees visiting up to March 26, compared to 16,72,046 during the corresponding period in 2025," they said.htc...