Jammu, Dec 31 (KINS): The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is continuously upgrading facilities to ensure a smooth and comfortable pilgrimage, Chief Executive Officer Sachin Kumar Vaishya said on Wednesday.
Expressing satisfaction over the heavy New Year rush, Vaishya said adequate arrangements for security, accommodation, and darshan have been put in place so that devotees face no inconvenience. He said the newly introduced ‘Sadhana Kaksh’ (meditation hall) at the Bhawan, dedicated on December 13, has received an encouraging response from pilgrims.
Officials said pilgrim footfall at the shrine remained below the 70-lakh mark in 2025, with over 69 lakh devotees visiting the shrine, a decline of over 27 per cent compared to last year due to security concerns and prolonged weather disruptions.
“We are witnessing a good influx of devotees in recent days, which is encouraging and is expected to increase further in 2026,” the CEO said, adding that the board remains focused on further improving facilities to enhance the overall pilgrimage experience.(KINS)
