Jammu:
As the annual Navratra pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi starts, it's time for the beginning of another ritual in these hills.
Under the threat of a possible militant strike, jawans are working round-the-clock tracking every inch of this mountain that flanks the 14-kilometre route from Katra town to the Vaishno Devi caves.
"There is a threat everywhere, but I am doing my job effectively," said Vasant Kumar, a CRPF Constable.
In the first six days of Navratras, the pilgrimage has seen 1.3 lakh footfalls.
"The areas adjacent to the track are also kept under watch, keeping in view the terrain, like Sukal valley which is behind Vaishno Devi. We have sanitised that as well," said N K Tripathi, Special Director General of Police, CRPF.
The rush will continue to be huge over the last three days of the festival.
"Right from Jammu Railway Station on route to Katra, there is security everywhere. We were also checked at Jammu. There is nothing to fear," said Narinder, a pilgrim from Panipat.
Every day thousands of pilgrims come for Vaishno Devi Yatra in trains. But the rush is at its peak during the Navratras. Clearly the CRPF have got to remain alert to defeat any militant designs and to ensure that the yatra passes on smoothly.