Last Updated on May 25, 2021 at 6:24 pm
Due to spike in COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country , the past two months witnessed slump for the world famous Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, located in the Trikuta Hills of Reasi district.
An official said that the number of pilgrims per day visiting Katra town to perform pilgrimage has declined considerably due to the pandemic.
He said that only a few hundred pilgrims, mostly local devotees from parts of Jammu and Kashmir, are visiting the cave shrine to pay obeisance.
A local shopkeeper informed that the tracks are empty and the eating points along the twin routes are shut, the food points being run by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board are operational. He added, for the convenience of pilgrims, services like helicopters, battery cars and cable cars are operational.
CEO informed that Shrine Board is taking care of all the safety measures, testing is done on the arrival of pilgrims and they are following all the guidelines issued by the centre , J&K government as well as health department.
Amid COVID, more than 16 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi in the first four months of 2021. Pilgrimage increased in the first two months, and the per day figure reached 15000 to 20000 but with the second wave of COVID, the number decreased.
