Jammu, Mar 03: Over ten lakh pilgrims have paid their respects at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine located in the Trikuta Hills of Katra town, Reasi district in January and February this year.
According to official sources, a total of 10,49,534 visited the holy cave. This figure marks an increase of 110,913 pilgrims compared to the same period last year when 9,38,621 devotees visited the shrine during the first two months.
Breaking down the numbers, it was reported that 616,609 pilgrims visited the shrine in January 2024, followed by 432,925 in February, totalling 1,049,534 visitors to Bhawan.
Comparatively, in January 2023, 524,184 devotees paid their respects at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan, followed by 414,432 in February of the same year.
Officials anticipate a temporary decline in pilgrim traffic due to ongoing examinations nationwide but anticipate a surge in visitors after April.
In 2023, the shrine witnessed a remarkable turnout, with 95.22 lakh pilgrims visiting—a record-breaking figure over the past decade.