24,000 pilgrims pay obeisance at Vaishnodevi on 1st Navratra

Jammu: As many as 24,000 devotees paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine of Vaishnodevi in Katra on the first day of Navratra on Thursday.

"So far 24,000 devotees have paid obeisance at the shrine," a Vaishno Devi Shrine Board official said.

Long queues of devotees were also witnessed in Jammu since early morning, with people thronging temples to offer prayers.

Tight security arrangements have been put in place on the occasion to ensure a safe and secure Yatra with additional units of paramilitary forces being roped in to maintain a close watch.

People are being frisked at several checkpoints and police officers in plain clothes have also been deployed to keep a vigil on suspicious movements.

PTI