Mata Vaishno Devi shrine decked in splendid floral decorations for Navratri festivities

As Navratri reaches its crescendo, the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, located in the Trikuta Hills of Jammu and Kashmir, is radiating in divine beauty with elaborate floral decorations that enchant devotees. Recognized as one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage destinations, the shrine is drawing in approximately twenty-five to thirty thousand devotees daily, each mesmerized by the stunning adornments that line the path to the cave shrine. The grand festivities will culminate on October 12.

A one-kilometer stretch leading to the main sanctum is lavishly decorated with an exquisite variety of fresh flowers, both indigenous and exotic. These flowers are sourced from across India and abroad, including Thailand, New Zealand, and Holland, ensuring the shrine is perpetually bathed in vibrant color and divine fragrance.

The floral arrangements are renewed twice during nine days of the holy Navratras with blooms like gladiolus, carnations, king protea pink, hydrangea, snow ball, cape bucket, and lilies, which remain fresh for nearly two weeks, said Sanchit Sharma from AIMIL Pharmaceuticals who is taking care of the arrangements of flower decoration as donation at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. “Special marigolds in shades of orange and yellow, procured from Kolkata, enhance the longevity of the decorations, offering a visual spectacle alongside the ‘darshans’ of the Mother Goddess during this auspicious time.”
What sets this year’s decorations apart is the unique combination of both flowers and fruits, with apples, mangoes, pomegranates, pineapples, and other vibrant fruits being artistically integrated into the design. These are adding an enchanting layer of spiritual symbolism and splendor to the shrine’s sacred aura.

For over two and a half decades, the task of organizing the shrine’s floral decorations has been entrusted to one of the eight members of the Shrine Board Shri K K Sharma who is also the managing director of Delhi based AIMIL Pharmaceuticals during the annual Shardiya and Chaitra Navratri celebrations. This year, a massive 70 truckloads of flowers were brought in from Bengaluru, Delhi, and Kolkata, reflecting the grandeur and scale of the decoration efforts.

Sanchit Sharma, Executive Director of AIMIL Pharma highlighted the innovation behind this year’s efforts. “This time, we’ve introduced 3-D graphics and utilized Artificial Intelligence to create intricate flower designs for the shrine’s decoration, producing a stunning visual harmony that amplifies the spiritual experience for devotees. The theme for this year’s Shardiya Navratri is the ‘Balroop’ or child form of the Mother Goddess, symbolizing purity and divinity.”

The preparation and execution of these intricate floral displays involved over 450 skilled workers, including designers from Kolkata and Uttar Pradesh, who have transformed the shrine’s arches, pathways, and ‘mehrabs’ into captivating works of art. Their expertise in creating floral designs and blending traditional aesthetics with modern elements ensures that every corner of the shrine exudes magnificence and devotion.

With an emphasis on both tradition and innovation, the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine stands as a beacon of spiritual beauty this Navratri season, offering devotees a truly awe-inspiring experience as they come to seek blessings and immerse themselves in the sacred atmosphere.