An extraordinary wave of faith has swept through the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage this season, with CEO Sachin Kumar Vaishya confirming a record-breaking 23.5 lakh visitors to the holy shrine so far. Speaking on Thursday, Vaishya noted this represents a healthy uptick of about 1.5 lakh over last year’s figures, signaling robust enthusiasm among devotees.
The Shrine Board’s proactive measures are paying off. Annual upgrades focus on lodging, food services, trail enhancements, and darshan queues, all aimed at elevating the pilgrim experience. Current projects include boosting room capacity and installing a skywalk for easier access to the sanctum.
Smart infrastructure like separate exit paths post-worship helps disperse crowds efficiently. A new sadhana room provides gratis space for meditation, while havan charges have been slashed amid rising demand. Helicopter connectivity to Baba Shiv Khori is also getting a facelift.
Vaishya spotlighted the board’s sports initiatives, nurturing local youth in a spectrum of disciplines from archery to tennis. An upcoming grand arena will further amplify these efforts. He lauded Payal’s twin golds from Bangkok’s para archery worlds, joining alumni like Sheetal Devi and Rakesh who’ve earned national accolades.
Comprehensive athlete support includes a freshly inaugurated mess for nutritious dining. On a recent flap involving a misrepresented video, Vaishya clarified unwavering adherence to rituals alongside efficient service delivery and educational outreach.
This blend of devotion, development, and discipline positions Vaishno Devi as a model pilgrimage site, drawing millions while fostering community growth.
