Record 38.75 lakh pilgrims visit Vaishno Devi in 6 months

Jammu, Jul 8 (UNI) The first six months of the current year observed heavy rush of pilgrims at Shri Mata Vaishno Shrine situated on Trikuta Hills touching the figure 38.75 lakh and June itself witnessing record number of 10.5 lakh, official sources here today said.

''So far 38.75 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance at the Shrine during first half of current year, which is about 4.35 lakhs more than the number during the corresponding period in the previous year,'' the sources told UNI.

However, only in the month of June, over 10.50 lakh pilgrims visited the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine situated in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, which is the highest ever in a single month.

Last year, about 75 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the Cave Shrine on Trikuta Hills while Shrine Board authorities have geared up for the huge pilgrim rush, which is likely to cross the 80 lakh mark this year, sources asserted.

UNI VBH AKJ AS2123