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Pilgrims progress to Vaishno Devi

By Luv Puri

JAMMU, SEPT. 7. Pilgrimage to the famous Vaishno Devi shrine this year is set to break all records as the rush is increasing every day, reviving the State's moribund economy in a big way.

Nestled in the ancient Trikuta hills, the shrine attracts pilgrims from across the world every year and is a major contributor to the State's economy which for years has been hit hard by militancy.

Despite the fact that last year there was an attack on pilgrims at Katra, the starting point for the steep uphill climb, there was hardly any impact on the pilgrimage. In July last year, Lashkar-e-Taiba militants threw a grenade on pilgrims which resulted in the death of six pilgrims including a child and more than 40 people were injured. But this did not deter the pilgrims and the rush has increased as compared to the corresponding period last year. In the first eight months of this year, 40.60 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine which is in itself a record and is 4.19 lakh more than the corresponding period last year.

In 2003, approximately 54 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine. This year the rush is likely to cross the magic figure of 60 lakhs. In the last two decades, there is a four-fold increase in the number of pilgrims. This can be corroborated by the fact that in 1986, when the Vaishno Devi Shrine board was set up, only 15 lakh pilgrims visited it.

Shrine board officials said that previously the rush picked up momentum during the months of October and April which coincided with the religious days. But now, there is hardly any dip in the number of pilgrims visiting the shrine.

The ever-increasing number of pilgrims to the shrine has given a boost to the local and the State's economy as major portion of the tourists also visit other parts of the State including Valley. Katra has witnessed a mushroom growth of hotels. Modern hotels are coming up even in the periphery of Katra as the town is finding it difficult to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims.

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