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The Vaishno Devi Shrine, a revered religious site in Jammu and Kashmir, saw an impressive influx of 94.83 lakh devotees in 2024. This remarkable figure marks the second-largest gathering of pilgrims at the shrine in the last ten years. Anshul Garg, the CEO of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), highlighted the consistent increase in visitors, noting that this was the third year in a row where the attendance exceeded 90 lakh, closely following the previous year's record of over 95 lakh pilgrims.
In his announcement on December 12, 2024, Garg pointed out the steady trend of high visitor numbers, emphasizing the board's commitment to enhancing the pilgrimage experience. The board is actively working on improving facilities and infrastructure, aiming to make the journey more convenient and enjoyable for devotees. Garg's statement underscores the significance of these upgrades in accommodating the growing number of visitors, attributing part of this success to better connectivity to the shrine.
Anshul Garg also mentioned significant infrastructure projects underway, designed to facilitate the pilgrims' experience. Among these are the introduction of the Vande Bharat train and the Delhi-Katra Express, which are expected to significantly boost access to Katra, the gateway to the Vaishno Devi Shrine. These transportation improvements, coupled with the construction of new facilities like the New Vaishnavi Bhawan, an exit track for smoother crowd management, and an all-weather queue complex at DarshDeodi and Banganga, are poised to enrich the pilgrimage. These projects are slated for completion by 2025, promising a more streamlined and comfortable visit for the millions of devotees.
Garg's early December post celebrated the shrine's achievement of attracting over 9 million visitors for the third consecutive year since 2022. This steady rise in visitor numbers not only highlights the shrine's enduring appeal but also underscores the SMVDSB's efforts in upgrading infrastructure and facilities. The board's initiatives aim to ensure that the surge in pilgrims, driven by improved connectivity and enhanced facilities, is well-accommodated, maintaining the shrine's status as one of India's most visited religious sites.
The Vaishno Devi Shrine's consistent draw of millions of devotees each year underscores its importance as a key spiritual destination in India. With the SMVDSB's ongoing efforts to enhance the pilgrimage experience through various infrastructure and facility improvements, the shrine is set to continue welcoming an increasing number of visitors in the coming years. These efforts not only aim to uphold the sanctity and accessibility of the shrine but also to ensure that every pilgrim's visit is a comfortable and fulfilling spiritual journey.
