Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine sees drop in pilgrim numbers

As the Kashmir Valley looks forward to a resurgence in winter tourism in the weeks ahead, authorities at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board are grappling with a sharp drop in pilgrim numbers compared to previous years.

At the time of the launch of the Vande Bharat Express connecting the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June this year, the Shrine Board authorities had expected a rise in the pilgrim traffic.

According to Yatra statistics available on the official website of the Shrine Board, 65.03 lakh pilgrims have visited the cave shrine this year. The pilgrim traffic was adversely affected due to the Pahalgam terror attack. Operation Sindoor and devastating flash floods in August, leading to the death of over 30 pilgrims along the yatra track. The yatra remained suspended for over three weeks due to repair works and prevailing inclement weather conditions.

Ahead of the New Year celebrations, the Shrine Board authorities are now gearing up to welcome the pilgrims and hoping the yatra figures to cross the 70-lakh mark. During the last week of December, around 3 to 4 lakh pilgrims offer prayers inside the cave shrine located in the Trikuta hills.

To further boost pilgrim traffic, the Shrine board has made concerted efforts to attract pilgrims by providing improved infrastructure facilities.

Last year, 94.84 pilgrims visited the cave shrine. In 2023, the pilgrim traffic crossed 95 lakhs. In 2022, 91.25 lakh pilgrims performed the yatra.

For the first time, the pilgrim traffic crossed the 70-lakh mark in 2007.