Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 25: Around 77 lakh pilgrims visited Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine in the year going by. In 2018, more than 84 lakh yatris undertook the pilgrimage to the cave shrine located in Trikuta Hills of Reasi district of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The 'Golden Gate', which was installed during Navratras in October 2019, was the centre of attraction for the pilgrims.
As many as over 73 lakhs (73,68,891) pilgrims visited the cave shrine in 11 months this year, having highest in the month of June and May.
As per official figures, in the month of January, 5,01,880 (in Lakhs) pilgrims paid obeisance
In February 2,69,739, in March 4,62,369, in April 6,90,893, in May 8,07,125, in June 11,59,715, in July 8,45,071, in August 6,02,088, in September 6,56,167, in October 7,96,087, in November 5,77,757 and till December 20, 2,83,458 pilgrims visited to the shrine, said an official.
One week, he said, is still left for year 2019 to come to an end. Nearly 1.5 lakh pilgrims are expected to visit the shrine taking the total to around 77 lakhs.
In the year 2017, the pilgrimage was undertaken by 81.78 lakhs but in 2018, this figure was crossed in the month of November and in the end of the year, the yatra crossed 84 lakh mark.
In the month of January in 2018, the yatra was undertaken by 5,45,945, February by 3,43,162, March 7,96,852, April 7,28,666, May 9,44,614, June 11,61,329, July 7,48,713, August 6,90,646, September 6,80,373 and October 7,99,596 pilgrims. Jammu and Kashmir became Union Territory on October 31 after the Government of India abrogated Article 370 on August 5.
''There was only a small decrease in the yatra post Article 370 abrogation in the months of August, September but in October, it again witnessed rise during navratras,'' said an official.He added that the Shrine Board is capable of handling a daily rush of 50,000 to 60,000 pilgrims, adding, ''due to cold weather conditions, after mid of December, the daily yatra remained at an average 12,000 to 15,000 but after spell of snowfall and on new year, it will increase.'' Moreover, the start of Bhawan-Bhairon Ghati Ropeway in 2018, also gave push to inflow of yatris to the Shrine, an official added.
During the first three months of the corresponding year as compared to last year, over 12 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the Cave Shrine.
In the first three months of 2019, 12,33,088 lakh pilgrims visited the cave shrine as compared to the last year where 16,85,959 footfalls were registered.
During nine-day long Navratras in October, more than 3.6 lakh of pilgrims paid obeisance.
Around 3.65 lakh pilgrims visited the cave shrine in navratras.
'Golden Gate' at natural cave was also the highlight at an entrance of the Bhawan which has been revamped by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board this year.
The 'Golden' entrance, carved with pictures of Gods and Goddesses has a dome, three golden flags and a huge 'golden chattar' besides pictures of Mata Vaishno Devi depicting her nine avatars including Mahagauri, Sidhidatri, Kalratri and Chamunda.
The Yatra that stood at 13.96 lakhs in the year 1986, increased to 104.95 lakhs (10.4 Million) in the year 2012, 93.24 Lakhs in the year 2013, 78.03 Lakhs in the year 2014, 77.76 Lakhs in the year 2015 and 77.23 Lakhs in the year 2016.
Efficient and pilgrim oriented management of the Shrine Board paid off.
In 2013, record one crore pilgrims visited the cave shrine and paid obeisance but after that the pilgrimage declined due to the security situation and other reasons.
As per official record, in 2014, the pilgrimage was 78, 03,193, in 2015, it was 77,76,604, in 2016, it was 77,23,721 and in 2017 it was 81,78,318.
The yatra this year broke previous five years record and the figure will further rise by year end, the official added.
In 2017, with more than 80 lakh yatris visited the cave shrine, an increase of around 3 lakh pilgrims who paid obeisance at the Sanctum Sanctorum during the entire calendar year 2016.
In 2015, 77,76,604 pilgrims had visited the Cave Shrine and 77,23,721 devotees in 2016, said an official. |
