Pilgrim footfall increases with train service to Katra

11 lakh yatris visited Vaishno Devi shrine during June

The number of pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine has recorded sharp increase following the train service to Katra.
Against the maximum 8 lakh arrivals a month, the pilgrim footfall   went up to 11 lakh in June after the inauguration of train service to Katra by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 4.
Sources informed that over 21 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine in June and July alone, against 28.80 lakh arrivals in first 5 months of 2014.
As per data available, 3,71,649 pilgrims visited the shrine in January, 2,84,720 in February, 6,62,889 in March . In April 7,49,145 and in May 8,12,265 devotees paid obeisance at the  shrine.
With the start of train, the number of pilgrims in June increased to 11.17 lakh, while in July around 10 lakh visited the shrine.
Sources said a large number of pilgrims from New Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, West Bengal and other states is arriving at Katra after start of direct train services.
They informed that till August 16, over 6 lakh pilgrims have already paid obeisance at the shrine.