Jammu, Nov 02: A record number of over 46.50 lakh pilgrims from various parts of the country have visited the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi in Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir upto October, 2003. During the corresponding period of last year, 37.17 lakh pilgrims visited the holy cave shrine. Thus an increase of over 9.33 lakh pilgrims have been registered, an official spokesman said here today.

In the month of October alone, as many as 5.22 lakh devotees paid their obeisance in the holy shrine, he said.

Currently, 18,000 to 19,000 pilgrims are daily reaching the base camp at Katra for their onward journey to the holy cave shrine, he said and added that adequate arrangements have been made by Shree Mata Vaishno Devi shrine board. Elaborate security arrangements have also been made by the police department enroute to Darbar and at the base camp in Katra town, he said.

Bureau Report