The Business Bytes
New Delhi, October 8, 2024 (TBB Bureau): 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.
‘Balroop’ of Maa
A one-kilometre stretch leading to the main sanctum has been extravagantly embellished with a stunning variety of fresh flowers, both indigenous and exotic. Sourced from across India and abroad — particularly from Thailand, New Zealand, and Holland — the flowers ensure the shrine is perpetually bathed in vibrant hues and divine fragrances.
The floral arrangements, refreshed twice during the nine days of the sacred Navratras, include blooms such as gladiolus, carnations, king protea pink, hydrangeas, snowball flowers, cape bucket, and lilies, all of which can remain fresh for nearly two weeks. “Special marigolds in shades of orange and yellow, procured from Kolkata, enhance the longevity of the decorations, creating a visual spectacle alongside the ‘darshans’ of the Mother Goddess,” shared Sanchit Sharma of AIMIL Pharmaceuticals, who is overseeing the flower decorations as a donation at Shree Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan.
What makes this year’s decorations stand out is the artistic integration of both flowers and fruits — apples, mangoes, pomegranates, pineapples, and other vibrant fruits, adding a layer of spiritual symbolism and enhancing the shrine’s divine atmosphere.
For over two and a half decades, the responsibility for Mata Vaishno Devi shrine’s floral decorations has been entrusted to Shri K.K. Sharma, one of the eight members of the Shrine Board and Managing Director of Delhi-based AIMIL Pharmaceuticals, during the annual Shardiya and Chaitra Navratri celebrations. This year, a staggering seventy truckloads of flowers were brought in from Bengaluru, Delhi, and Kolkata, reflecting the immense scale and grandeur of the decoration efforts.
Highlighting the innovation behind this year’s efforts, AIMIL Pharmaceuticals Executive Director Sanchit Sharma said, “This time, we’ve introduced 3-D graphics and employed Artificial Intelligence (AI) to craft intricate floral designs for the shrine, creating a stunning visual harmony that amplifies the spiritual experience for devotees. The theme for this year’s Shardiya Navratri is the ‘Balroop’ — the child form of Mata Vaishno Devi — 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 magnificent works of art. Their expertise in blending traditional aesthetics with modern elements ensures that every corner of the shrine radiates beauty and devotion.
With its perfect blend of tradition and innovation, the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine stands as a beacon of spiritual beauty this Navratri season, offering devotees an awe-inspiring experience as they seek blessings and immerse themselves in the sacred atmosphere.
