Jammu, Jan 01 (KNO): Nearly one crore pilgrims paid obeisance at Shri Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra, Reasi till December 31st 2024, said the CEO of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
Anshul Garg, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SMVDSB, said, "94.83 lakh pilgrims pay obeisance at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in 2024, the second highest number in a decade.”
Earlier on December 12, 2024, Garg stated that more than 90 lakh devotees have visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir for the third consecutive year.
“For the third consecutive year, the number of devotees (arriving at the Shrine) has crossed 90 lakh. Last year, we crossed 95 lakh. This year's yatra is following almost the same trend,” Garg said.
He added that efforts are underway to provide more facilities for the devotees and that the footfall in Katra will increase with the improvement in connectivity. The CEO also said that the Board's ongoing infrastructure initiatives to improve the pilgrimage experience.
Moreover, normalcy has returned to Katra, the base camp for Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims, as business activity resumed, following a week-long shutdown over a controversial ropeway project in Reasi district. The protest had brought all activities to a halt in the bustling pilgrimage town.
Police released eighteen detainees, leading to overnight celebrations. All shops, restaurants, and business establishments reopened, much to the relief of the pilgrims, as traffic movement was restored. Hundreds of devotees thronged Katra on the year's first day to pay homage at the temple, marking the end of the shutdown.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti started the protest on December 25, opposing the proposed ropeway project, which aims to connect Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat to ease access for senior citizens and children. The Samiti's week-long stir was aimed at derailing the project, which they felt threatened the town's traditions—(KNO)