Record 69.5 lac pilgrims visit Vaishno Devi in 06

Jammu, Jan 2: Setting new records, 69.5 lakh pilgrims offered prayers at cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi at Katra in Jammu and Kashmir last year while over 60,000 people paid obeisance on December 31.

With 41,490 pilgrims having darshans of the Pindi Shrine on the new year eve, the figures of devotees reached around 69.50 lakh for the year 2006, including 80,000 who performed yatra by helicopter, according to official sources.

For the last few days more than 40,000 people daily were getting yatra slips of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), set-up by the then Governor Jagmohan, to track 13 kms zig-zag path from Ban Ganga to reach the Bhawan, sources said.

The pilgrimage recorded an increase of more than seven lakh, i.e.9.6 per cent this year as compared to last year, said Additional Chief Executive Officer Puneet Kumar.

The helicopter service to the shrine in 2006 yeilded an all time high revenue of Rs 16 crore for the private airliner with an 8 per cent share for the SMVDSV (Rs 1.3 crore), he added.

During the year 2005, 62.52 lakh people, including foreigners, paid obeisance at holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, located at a height of 5,200 feet from the sea level.

Looking, at the increasing influx and convenience to the pilgrims, this year Yatra slips will me made available at post offices and petrol pumps all over the country at the service charge of Rs 10 only, sources said.

People can also get yatra slips whili sitting at their home through internet.

For 2007, the Board has further planned to provide more facilities, including accommodation to the pilgrims at different halting points.

The Spiritual Growth Centre will also be ready for inauguration in April or May next year, sources said.

Besides eatables on ''no profit no loss'' basis, the Shrine Board has also planned to install LCDs, Plasma TVs and internet facility for the Yatris.

UNI