JAMMU and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday paid obeisance at the revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district and launched a ‘live darshan’ facility for the devotees, officials said. Sinha, the chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), also released a book on the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage titled ‘Bhakti on Shakti’ by Rupa Publications. According to officials, the Lt Governor paid a visit to the shrine on the occasion of ‘Maha Ashtami’ and prayed for the Union Territory’s progress, prosperity, and peace. Sinha launched the ‘live darshan’ facility and a bi-lingual chatbot on the website of the SMVDSB and dedicated them to the devotees.

 

The ‘live darshan’ facility is available on the official website of the board. This initiative was taken for the more extensive facilitation of devotees, the officials said. In addition, with an aim to provide authentic information to pilgrims, a bi-lingual interactive chatbot ‘Shakti’ has been developed for the official website augmenting the 24x7 toll-free helpline for addressing queries and grievances received from pilgrims, officials said. The chatbot will provide all the relevant information on services and facilities provided by the board and provide much-needed help to pilgrims to plan their visit in advance, the officials said, adding it also features relaying of video and audio content for pilgrim awareness and the latest updates at the holy shrine.