Yatra to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi set to cross eight million mark.

Jammu, November 12: Pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine is all set to cross eight million mark for the first time as today the Yatra crossed the previous highest figure of 74.17 lakh which was recorded in 2007.

Additional Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, informed that the yatra crossed the highest figure of 74,17,619, which was recorded in 2007. The figure of highest ever yatra, 74,17,620, reached today and with as many as 49 days were still left in this year, the yatra would easily touch or even cross eight million mark for the first time.

The yatra in 2007 was 74.17 lakh, it came down to 67.92 lakh in 2008 (mainly because of two-month agitation in view of Amarnath land row). Yatra in 2006, had narrowly missed seven million mark recording 69.5 lakh.

This year, the pilgrimage to holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi ji has recorded an increase of 14.17 lakh so far compared to corresponding period last year. By November 12, 74.19 lakh pilgrims had visited the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi while the figure for similar period last year was 60.02 lakh.

Yatra during the year 1986, when the SMVDSB took charge of the Yatra arrangements to the Holy Cave, was just 13.95 lakhs.

SMVDSB undertook massive infrastructure development all along 13 km track from Katra to Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. Yatra reached three million mark within five years of SMVDSB tajing charge of the Yatra. It crossed 4 million mark in 1995 and 5 million in 2000. In 2004 yatra crossed 6 million markand 7 million mark was reached in 2007 and we are expected to see yatra crossing 8 million figure in 2009.

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