President prays at Vaishno Devi temple

President Pranab Mukherjee Tuesday prayed at the Mata Vaishno Devi temple here.

The president signed the visitors' book and waved to the other devotees.

Despite the president's presence, no restrictions were placed on devotees proceeding to the shrine. Katra town is located about 50 km from Jammu, the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

Accompanying the president was Governor N.N. Vohra, chairman of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (MVDSB) that runs the shrine.

More than 10 million devotees visit the shrine every year.

Earlier, Mukherjee landed at the newly laid Panchi Helipad in Katra town.

From there, his entourage drove in a convoy of six battery cars to the Yatra Bhawan where he inaugurated the Shridhar Bhawan elevator.

The elevator can be used by the aged and infirm devotees to reach the shrine without having to climb the 127 steps up the mountainous trek.

Mukherjee is to fly back to New Delhi after a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

The president Monday addressed the 14th convocation of the University of Jammu. The governor hosted an At Home for the president.

Vohra also briefed Mukherjee about the latest security situation in the state.