Bhakti hi Shakti hai! Over 50 lakhs of pilgrims paid obeisance to Vaishno Devi so far this year

Jammu, August 1: Bhakti hi Shakti hai! The whole country believes in God and ones if they get a chance they surely visit the temples, no matter whatever they have to face. Notably, over 50 lakhs of yatris have visited Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in the first seven months of this year recording a massive increase over last year.

 

According to the data, a total of 52,49,634 pilgrims have visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine during the first seven months of the year 2018 as compared to 51,25,403 pilgrims of last year, and 50,32,644 in 2016. This shows an increase of 1,24,231 pilgrims from 2017, while there is an increase of 2,16,990 pilgrims from 2016.

In January this year, 5,45,945 pilgrims visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. the number in February was 3,43,162, while in March, it rose to 7,96,852 pilgrims. The month of April and May witnessed 7,28,666 and 9,44,614 pilgrims respectively. The highest number of pilgrims this year was recorded in June, when 11,61,329 pilgrims paid obeisance to Mata Vaishno Devi, although, the number fell down to 7,29,066 in July.

BACKGROUND:

Vaishno Devi, also known as Mata Rani, Trikuta and Vaishnavi, is a manifestation of the Hindu Goddess Mata Adi Shakti also known as Chandi/Durga. The words ""maa" and "mata" are commonly used in India for "mother", and thus are often used in connection with Vaishno Devi. Vaishno Devi Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu Goddess, located in Katra at the Trikuta Mountains in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Temple or Bhawan is 13.5 km from Katra and various modes of transportation are available from Katra to Bhawan, including Ponies, Electric vehicles and paalkhis operated by 4 persons. Helicopter services are also available up to Sanjichhat, which is 9.5 km from Katra.