Sharp increase in pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi shrine

Sharp increase in pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi shrine Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 9
Even though the Navratra Festival this year lasted for eight days, the number of pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi cave shrine saw an impressive improvement. An increase of 29,071 pilgrims was witnessed this time as compared to the last year.
As per the Hindu calendar, there were eight Navratras (from September 28 to October 5) this year. The number of pilgrims, which was 2,90,313 last year during nine days, was recorded at 3,19,394 this year in eight days.
A senior official of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) told The Tribune that the favourable weather conditions and good hospitality arrangements made by the administration and the local hoteliers were the major reasons behind the increase in number of pilgrims.
“There is almost 10 per cent increase in the pilgrims as compared to the last year. Had the festival lasted for nine days, the number of pilgrims would have crossed the 3.5-lakh mark,” said the official.
The pilgrimage figures accessed by The Tribune also revealed that the total number of pilgrims, who had paid obeisance at the cave shrine so far was 12.56 lakh more as compared to the corresponding period last year.
Till October 8 this year, as many as 77,57,979 pilgrims had visited the cave shrine, while 65,02,203 pilgrims had paid obeisance during the corresponding period last year.
“This year the SMVDSB is celebrating its silver jubilee celebrations and the number of pilgrims is also expected to touch a remarkable figure after breaking all previous records. Last year, the total number of pilgrims visiting the shrine was 87.49 lakh, which we are expecting to cross by end of November,” he added.
Officials of the Tourism Department termed it a big success in terms of pilgrimage tourism. “The co-ordination and hard work of the officials have brought positive results. The Governor NN Vohra and Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora also took keen interest in the arrangements during the festival,” said Robin Singh Mehta, Director, Tourism Department, Jammu.