Even after the start of direct train services linking Katra base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine to several States, the pilgrim traffic has recorded downward trend in the previous quarter ending on September 30.
The flood situation in Jammu & Kashmir may have also prevented the pilgrims from staying away from the holy cave shrine during the previous month.
Compared to the previous year, when 73.08 lakh pilgrims visited holy shrine till September 30, 2013 this year the figure has dropped to 62.62 lakh, recording a decline of 10.46 lakh pilgrims in the first nine months.
Even nine-day-long Navratra festival could not attract pilgrim traffic to the shrine located in Trikuta hills.
According to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board authorities only 1.25 lakh pilgrims offered special prayers inside the holy shrine during Navratras this year while estimated three lakh pilgrims had paid visit during the nine day long festival in 2013.In 2012 also more than 2.7 lakh pilgrims had visited holy cave to offer prayers.
Interestingly, before devastating floods hit the State, the cave shrine had recorded arrival of 8,90,348 pilgrims at the Katra base camp in August 2014.
In contrast, only 41,9,862 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine in September 2014, recording a sharp decline of 50 per cent in the number of pilgrims. In September 2013 also, over 8.32 lakh pilgrims visited the cave shrine. In July 2014, when train services were flagged off to Katra base camp 9.53 lakh pilgrims, had reached Katra to perform darshan.
Railways has launched several long distance express trains connecting important pilgrim centres with Katra to boost pilgrim traffic.
The Shrine Board authorities are hoping to receive more pilgrims in the coming months as the situation is limping back to normalcy in the state with rehabilitation work going on at full pace in flood affected areas of Jammu region as well.