Early Times Report
JAMMU, Oct, 25: More than 39,000 pilgrims paid obeisance during nine days of Navratras at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine situated in Trikuta Hills of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir, authorities said on Sunday.
The Shrine Board official here on Sunday told that as many as 39,974 pilgrims from within the Jammu and Kashmir and different parts the country visited to the Bhawan between October 17 to October 25.
The official further said that out of the total number pilgrims who visited during this period, 15,764 were from Jammu and Kashmir and 24,210 were from other parts of the country.
Sharing details, the official added that on October 17, 4,546 pilgrims visited the cave shrine which included, 1,909 local residents, 2,637 outsiders; on October 18, 3,860 pilgrims including 1,063 local residents, 2,697 outsiders; on October 19, 3,082 pilgrims including 1,136 local residents, 1,946 outsiders; on October 20, 4,121 pilgrims including 1,670 local residents, 2,451 outsiders; on October 21, 4,068 pilgrims including 1,377 local residents, 2,691 outsiders; on October 22, 4,927 pilgrims including 1,973 local residents, 2,954 outsiders; on October 23, 6,613 pilgrims including 2,928 local residents, 3,685 outsiders; on October 24, 6,891 residents including 3,280 local residents, 3611 outsiders and on October 25 (till 1400 hours), 1,966 pilgrims including 428 local residents and 1,538 outsiders, visited to the Bhawan.
The Shrine Board had made elaborate arrangements to facilitate the pilgrims visiting the Holy Cave Shrine during Navratras.
These arrangements included round the clock water and power supply all along the tracks leading to the Shrine, sanitation, medicare and availability of special "fast related" food at the catering outlets of the Shrine Board.
The 'Mata Vaishno Devi Mobile App' was also launched by the Shrine Board for the devotees on Google Play Store.
Additionally, the option of Darshan, Live Atka Aarti, Yatra Registration Parchi, Pooja Prasad and Donations have also been introduced.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has also increased the limit of pilgrims to 7,000 from October 15, which was earlier 5,000 pilgrims per day.
The services of ponies, pithoos and palkis was also allowed to operate on the track between Katra and Bhawan in a regulated manner by following all the safety norms and guidelines notified by the government in order to ensure the safety and health of the pilgrims, Shrine Board staff and the service providers.
The pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi was suspended on March 18 in view of the COVID pandemic and was later resumed on August 16. |
