Forest fires disrupted movement of pilgrims on the new track connecting Katra and the Vaishnodevi temple for hours as authorities stopped the "yatra" to prevent untoward incidents, official sources said in Udhampur on Saturday.
The fires had spread near Himkoti on the alternate Adhkuwari-Bhavan track around 1930 hours yesterday, which affected the "yatra", they said adding shrine board and police authorities stopped it till 1100 hours.
Movement was resumed on the new Katra-Vaishnodevi track after fires subsided around the area. However, devotees continued to use the old Adhkuwari-Bhavan track when "yatra" remained suspended, the sources said.
Forest fires have been recurring over the last two weeks at different places in Trikuta hills, where Mata Vaishno Devi shrine is located. But it had not affected the movement of devotees during the period.