A record-breaking number of over 23 lakh Yatris have visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra town, Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. The CEO of the Shrine Board, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, confirmed that this year’s pilgrimage count surpassed last year’s by two lakh devotees. The management is enhancing facilities for the convenience of both local and international pilgrims.
Dedicated to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, the shrine is located on the Trikuta mountain at an altitude of 5,200 feet. It is 43 km from Jammu city and 29 km from Reasi town. The shrine is under the governance of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, led by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
The pilgrimage site has a rich history, initially revered by local tribes as the goddess “Trikuta Devi.” Over time, it became associated with Goddess Vaishno Devi. The shrine’s popularity grew, attracting notable visitors like Raja Jas Dev of Jammu in 996 CE and Maharaja Ranjit Dev in the 18th century. Today, it stands as the most esteemed Hindu pilgrimage destination in Jammu and Kashmir.
