By December 31, 2024, almost one crore people visited the Shri Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra, Reasi. Anshul Garg, who leads the shrine board, said that 94.83 lakh visitors came this year, which is the second-highest in ten years.
Earlier in December, Garg mentioned that for three years in a row, more than 90 lakh people have visited. Last year, over 95 lakh people came. This year’s numbers are similar.
Garg also said they are working to make things better for visitors and expect more people with improved travel options. They are building new facilities to improve the pilgrimage experience.
Recently, Katra returned to normal after being shut down for a week due to protests against a ropeway project in Reasi district. The protests had stopped business in the town.
After police released eighteen people, celebrations happened, and shops and restaurants reopened. Pilgrims were happy as traffic returned to normal. Many people visited Katra on New Year’s Day, ending the shutdown.
The protest started on December 25 by a group opposing the ropeway project, which aims to help older people and children reach the shrine more easily. The group wanted to stop the project because they thought it would change the town’s traditions.
