Vaishnodevi pilgrimage creates record

As many as 74,20,910 pilgrims have visited the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi here so far this year, and the authorities expect the number to cross the eight-million mark.

"The Vaishno Devi pilgrimage has broken the previous record of 74,17,619  in 2007," additional chief executive officer (ACEO) MK Bhandari today said.

The number of devotees in had taken a dip in 2008 in view of the two-month-long Amarnath land row agitation, and only 67.92 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine that year.

"With 48 days still left this year, the yatra would easily touch or even cross eight million mark for the first time," Bhandari Said.

Uttar Pradesh and Delhi accounted for 16.6% and 15.8% pilgrims this year.

With massive infrastructure development along the 13-km track from Katra to Bhawan, located at a height of 5,200 feet, the shrine, visited by just 13.95 lakh pilgrims in 1986 has attracted more and more devouts each year.