The number of pilgrims visiting the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji during the current calendar year has already crossed 80 lakh today, thereby registering an increase of around 3 lakh pilgrims who paid the visit during the calendar year 2016.

Additionally, people from different parts of the world are reaching holy town of Katra to celebrate New Year at the pilgrimage of Mata Vaishno Devi, at Trikuta Hills, in Jammu.

Shrine Board is happy over the increase in number of the pilgrims to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine as there had been steep decline in number of visitors to Bhawan during 2014, 2015 and 2016 as compared to 2011 and 2012 when the pilgrimage had crossed the 10 million mark.

77,76,604 pilgrims visited the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji in 2015 and 77,23,721 pilgrims in 2016. This year, since 23 December, there is a growing number of devotees visiting the Holy Cave Shrine. This is because only a few days are left for the year end.

Meanwhile, on the directions of Governor N. N. Vohra, who is also Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, elaborate arrangements have been made by the Shrine Board officers for facilitating a large number of pilgrims who are likely to visit the Holy Cave Shrine, particularly during the remaining days of this year and on the New Year day.

Arrangements for pilgrims:

The arrangements include ensuring proper water and power supply along the track leading to the Shrine and in the Bhawan area. Adequate medical provision, stocks of blankets, security, sanitation etc. Special arrangements of sagris (fire pots) and lukewarm drinking water has also been made, enroute the Shrine.