Jammu:Starting June 18, pilgrims can take direct helicopter rides from Jammu to the Bhawan cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in the Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDB) announced this new service on Monday, aiming to streamline the pilgrimage and enhance facilities for devotees from around the world.

Anshul Garg, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SMVDB, stated, "To provide better facilities, the Board has decided to start helicopter services directly from Jammu to Bhawan from June 18." He emphasized that the new service package includes various allied facilities, such as battery car seva, priority darshan, prasad, and ropeway sevas. "All these facilities are offered as a package. People can book and avail of the chopper service through our website," Garg added.

According to officials, once devotees land at the Panchhi helipad near the shrine, they will be transported to Bhawan. Pilgrims will receive a special darshan slip, 'prasad', a priority cable car ticket for prayers at the Bhairon temple, and battery car service for the return trip to the Panchhi Helipad, from where they will board the helicopter back to Jammu airport.

Currently, helicopter services are only available between Katra and Sanjichhat. The Mata Vaishno Devi cave shrine, situated in the Trikuta hills of the Reasi district, is one of the most revered sites in Jammu and Kashmir, attracting nearly one crore devotees annually.

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