Record Number of Devotees in Vaishno Devi Shrine

June 26, 2026

From the month of Sawan, holy days begin from the religious point of view. These days give the message to the devotees to go to Muktidhams (sacred places) and worship and make their lives successful. Religious tourism has great importance in our country. Religious tourist places are witnessing unprecedented development because the crowd of devotees is increasing in every new season.

Next year there is Kumbh Snan in Haridwar. Crores of devotees are expected to come. It is expected that Haridwar will be rejuvenated to provide facilities for them.

Similarly, Shri Amarnath Yatra is starting from July 3. Last year, despite the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, record crowds arrived for the Amarnath Yatra. A large number of pilgrims are expected this year as well. The government has already strengthened its digital security system.

Here, we would like to specifically highlight the pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi. Once upon a time, the pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi began from underdeveloped Katra, and even then, millions of devotees would come for darshan. Times have changed. Articles 370 and 35A have been removed from Jammu and Kashmir. Countless devotees from across the country have begun to gather for the darshan of the Mother Goddess.

Data shows that by June 22, 2026, 50.70 lakh pilgrims have visited Mata Vaishno Devi Dham. During the same period in 2025, 39.84 lakh pilgrims had visited Mata Vaishno Devi. This year, this number has increased by more than 10 lakh.

The number of pilgrims has also increased because there are better security arrangements for pilgrims. Accommodation, health services, crowd management, battery cars, ropeways, disaster management, and digital facilities have been continuously enhanced. The journey has become safe, accessible, and convenient. Consequently, the number of pilgrims is also increasing.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is the Chairman of the Shrine Board. Under his leadership, infrastructure is developing. The growing religious tourism has also brought economic benefits to the area. Katra, once a town, has now transformed into a developed city.

We believe that every religious tourist destination in the country should learn from this.