Now pilgrims have to plant saplings as ‘Prasad’ at Vaishno Devi Shrine

In an interesting development, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has decided to offer plant saplings as ‘prasad’ to the devotees, visiting Shri Vasihno Devi temple for prayers.

Situated at Trikuta Hills in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, Vaishno Devi is considered as most revered shrine, where on an average around 10 million people pay their pay obeisance in a year.

Officials told news agency of Shrine Board the idea behind the initiative is to encourage people to plant more trees and save the planet Earth from climate change and global warming. The plant sapling also acts as a blessing of Goddess and treated as a live souvenir of the holy pilgrimage.

Viney Khajuria, Assistant Conservator of ForestShri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said that in the next couple of days the Board is going to formally start offering plants as ‘Parshad’ to Vaishno Devi pilgrims visiting the shrine.

He informed a high-tech outlet is planned at Nahirika complex at Katra, the base camp of the holy shrine, from where interesting devotees can take away the saplings as blessing of Mata Rani

Khajuria further said that indigenous plants will be taken from a high-tech nursery set up by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) at Kunia village in the Panthal area near Katra in Reasi. He said the nursery is rearing indigenous species of plants which are compatible with the local climatic conditions but also striving, progressively, for better transportation and transplantation.

Besides continuously improving facilities for the pilgrims, the board has been devoting attention to promoting the welfare of the people. He further informed that the board also has been ensuring conserving the environment.

“The board has also taken up large-scale plantations of varied indigenous species of plants, creepers, soil binders and flowering plants in the shrine area,” he said.

People also expressed their joy and excitement regarding the new concept.

A devotee Ayush said, “The saplings as a ‘gift’ during weddings, birthdays and farewells are already in practice but sapling as ‘Parshad’ is something unique”. He said this initiative is good for environmental conversation as lwee as give a sense of closeness with goddesses—(KNO)