Nestled high in the Trikuta hills, the sacred Vaishno Devi shrine has long beckoned countless devotees seeking spiritual solace. But on a rainy June afternoon, nature intervened with a sudden landslide along the new Himkoti track, halting life-changing journeys in their tracks.

After continuous torrential rains, the hill near the truth view point fell. Stones, soil and debris took the strip of about 30 feet long of the new mechanical route. Immediately the Shrine Board removed the devotees from the water-filled path and cancelled the precautionary battery-car, cable-car and helicopter services. Thankfully no one was informed about the injuries.

The devotees showed amazing patience even after the mechanical route was closed. He began his steps back or began a new climb on the traditional climbing path. With the help of faith, they continued their journey by taking the support of old ways - walking, horse riding, palanquin or pithu. Back, disaster-management teams and local officials continued to work hard. The work of removing debris and strengthening weak places continued. Heavy machines engaged in thundering work, and the security of every devotee was ensured under the supervision of vigilant officials.

While the new track was designed to ease pilgrim strain with mechanized transport, this episode reminded everyone that safety must always come first. Authorities have urged visitors to stay updated on weather warnings and avoid the new path until it’s declared safe. 

In that tension between devotion and danger, the shrine’s legacy endures. Pilgrims, undeterred, continue their sacred journey proof that heart and heritage often outshine hardship.