Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 31: Pilgrimage to holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji has crossed 5 million in first seven months of this year, recording an increase of over 1.24 lakh over corresponding period of last year.
As many as 52,49,634 pilgrims visited the cave shrine located between Trikuta Hills of Katra during seven months of this year as against 51,25,403 of last year and 50,32,644 of 2016, official sources said.
Increase in pilgrimage during seven months of this year as compared to corresponding months of 2017 stood at 1,24,231 and over year 2016 at 2,16,990.
During the month of January this year, 5,45,945 pilgrims paid obeisance to Goddess Vaishno Devi as compared to 4,54,118 of previous year, recording an increase of 91,827. The number in the month of February, as usual, declined to 3,43,162 while the number during previous year was 3,28,230, an increase of 14,932 this year.
In March 2018, 7,96,852 yatris had darshan of natural pindies of Vaishno Devi Ji at the cave shrine located at a height of 5200 feet from sea level while the number for this month of 2017 was 6,84,663. The month of March this year saw an increase of 1,12,189 over the previous year.
During April this year, 7,28,666 yatris offered prayers at the Bhawan as against 8,00,813 of 2017, a decline of 72,147.
In May 9,44,614 pilgrims visited Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Bhawan as compared to 9,10,843 of last year, registering an increase of 33,771.
The highest number of 11,61,329 pilgrims visited the shrine this year in the month of June but the number fell short by 23,569 as compared to same month of last year when 11,84,898 yatris had performed darshan.
In July, 7,29,066 yatris paid obeisance to Goddess Vaishno Devi while the number last year was 7,61,838, a decline of 32,772 this year.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) officials have been regularly monitoring arrangements for the pilgrims.
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