Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader and leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, travelled 14 kilometres from Katra to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, and joined thousands of devotees on one of the country’s most revered pilgrimage routes.
Rahul Gandhi took the pilgrimage on foot and walked with other devotees on the uphill route to the holy shrine in the Trikuta Hills. Images and videos from the yatra showed him interacting with pilgrims while accompanied by security.
The Congress leader offered prayers at the shrine, one of the most visited Hindu pilgrimage destinations in India. Gandhi said he had come to seek the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi and did not intend to make any political comments on his pilgrimage.
The trek from Katra to Bhawan is around 14 kilometres, and millions of devotees do it every year. Pilgrims can either go on foot or use battery-powered vehicles, ponies, palanquins, or even a helicopter service along the route.
Congress leaders say Rahul Gandhi has long wanted to make the pilgrimage on foot as a mark of devotion. He also performed religious rituals at the shrine during the visit and concluded his pilgrimage.
The Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir draws millions of pilgrims annually from all over India and abroad. It is considered one of Hinduism’s holiest yatras, and devotees say they can only visit the shrine with the help of the Goddess in their prayers.
This is Rahul Gandhi walking 14 km by foot at Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra
— Ankit Mayank (@mr_mayank) July 2, 2026
He could have opted for VIP visit with helicopter, red carpet and 10+ cars, but he chose the path of a true devotee
Have you ever seen Narendra Modi or any BJP leader ditch VIP treatment even at temples? pic.twitter.com/YMiq4WSMjr
Rahul Gandhi’s foot march to the shrine was observed by devotees and visitors along the way, and many welcomed him as he moved towards Bhawan. Political leaders from various parties have met at the shrine, but Gandhi’s entire journey on foot was a spiritual one.
The visit concluded with Rahul Gandhi in the sanctum, saying prayers, which reaffirmed the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage as a symbol of faith and devotion. The shrine is still popular, and thousands of pilgrims come to visit every year.
