The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board temporarily suspended registrations in Katra as thousands of devotees arrived for New Year 2026. The move aims to ensure crowd safety and smooth management. Registrations are expected to resume after a review of crowd density

Pilgrim footfall at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine fell sharply in 2025 due to security concerns and prolonged weather disruptions, officials said. The year saw multiple setbacks, with the Pahalgam terror attack in April that left 26 persons dead and prompted heightened security measures across the region