Katra, 29 May (H.S.): After a sudden decline following Pahalgam terror attack, the number of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims has now started swelling, returning the hustle and bustle back to the Katra town- base camp of the world famous pilgrimage.

According to the Shrine Board officials, the yatra has started increasing for the last week and presently around 18000 to 20000 pilgrims are reaching Katra on a daily basis to visit the Bhawan.

The Vaishno Devi yatra had witnessed a sudden decline after the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which was followed by “Operation Sindoor” launched by India. The number of pilgrims after April 22 had decreased to a few thousands with the result, the business in Katra town remained largely affected.

“The pilgrimage is now gaining momentum, and it has crossed 20000 after nearly a month,” said the Shrine Board official, adding that the number of devotees is expected to further increase owing to summer vacations in schools across India.

To enhance the number of pilgrims, the Shrine Board has provided several facilities to the pilgrims free of cost starting from Katra, including free Aarti Darshan and accommodation, while food counters were also established at various places en route to Bhawan, at Banganga and at Katra Railway Station.

The Shrine Board had also announced a free accommodation facility at the Katra-based Ashirwad Complex for the devotees.

By mid-May 15, 5,423 devotees had visited the cave shrine this year, and during the period of escalated tension between India and Pakistan, 45,430 pilgrims offered prayers at the cave shrine from May 6 to 13.

More than 3.5 lakh pilgrims during the Navratras period in April and more than 25 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance till mid-April at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine this year.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar