In the first three months of the current year, more than 19 lakh pilgrims visited the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, nestled in the Trikuta Hills of Katra town in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.

A Shrine Board official said that this year from January to March, over 19 lakh devotees visited the cave shrine, adding, “In 2023, 18,33,266 devotees paid obeisance at Bhawan, which means around 77,838 more pilgrims visited the Bhawan in the said period.”

He stated that in January this year, 6,16,609, in February 4,32,925 and in March 8,61,570 pilgrims visited the Bhawan as compared to last year, in January 5,24,184, in February 4,14,432 and in March 8,94,650 devotees.

“At present, 25,000 to 35,000 pilgrims are daily reaching Katra to trek a 13-kilometer track to reach Bhawan, and the rush is expected to swell during Navratras starting from April 9 and ending on April 17 thereafter, from May mid onwards in view of the summer vacations.”

The official added that on the weekends, the figure is between 40,000 to 45,000, adding, “Expecting a huge rush in the coming days, the Shrine Board is making various arrangements to facilitate a smooth journey for the pilgrims.”

(With UNI Inputs)