72.62 lakh pilgrims visited Shri Mata Vaishno Devi in 2007

Jammu, Jan 1 (UNI) A record number of over 72.62 lakh pilgrims have visited the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi during the year 2007, official sources said here today.

''Against 68.31 lakh pilgrims, who visited in 2006, it was registered an increase of about 4.31 lakh pilgrims last year,'' said new Additional Chief Executive Officer Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board M K Dwivedi.

On December 31, 2007 as many as 39718 pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine' he said adding, ''During the month of December 2007, 5.12 lakh pilgrims offered prayers at the holy cave, which is about 63,000 pilgrims more from the corresponding month of last year.'' UNI VBH PY RN1956