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The holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi has achieved a significant milestone during the current calendar year, with the number of pilgrims paying obeisance at the revered shrine crossing the landmark figure of 50 lakh even before the completion of June.

Till June 23, more than 51 lakh pilgrims had undertaken the sacred pilgrimage to seek the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, located in the Trikuta Hills of Jammu and Kashmir.

“This achievement assumes greater significance when compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. During the same period in 2025, approximately 39.84 lakh pilgrims had visited the holy shrine, whereas the Yatra during the current year has recorded 50.70 lakh pilgrims, reflecting a substantial increase of 10.86 lakh devotees,” an official spokesperson of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) said.

The remarkable growth in pilgrim footfall is a testimony to the unwavering faith and devotion of devotees from across the country and abroad towards the revered shrine.

The sustained increase in the number of pilgrims also reflects the confidence reposed by devotees in the arrangements made by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders associated with the management of the Yatra, the spokesperson said.

Under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the Shrine Board has undertaken extensive measures to facilitate a smooth, safe, and comfortable pilgrimage experience for devotees. Continuous improvements in infrastructure, accommodation facilities, sanitation, crowd management systems, healthcare services, battery-car operations, ropeway services, disaster-management preparedness, and digital initiatives have significantly enhanced pilgrim convenience and overall service delivery.

“The crossing of the 50-lakh mark at this stage of the year is indicative of the growing enthusiasm among devotees and augurs well for the continued progress of the Yatra during the remaining months of the year,” the spokesperson added.

Yatra remained suspended for 22 days in 2025

A cloudburst and the subsequent landslides struck the route to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in 2025, killing 34 pilgrims and injuring several others near Adhkuwari. The tragedy occurred amid relentless monsoon rains and flash floods across Jammu and Kashmir.

Near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya on the 12-km trek route at Adhkuwari in the Trikuta Hills, at least 34 pilgrims lost their lives, while several others sustained injuries.

The pilgrimage was suspended following the disaster. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board managed the evacuation of thousands of stranded devotees to designated safe shelters.

According to officials, a total of 6,887,674 pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine during 2025.

The arrival of pilgrims dipped to 185,165 in September after the tragic landslide on the Yatra route claimed 34 lives on August 26. The pilgrimage remained suspended for several days following the incident.

A committee was constituted to examine in detail the causes behind the disaster, identify any lapses, assess the rescue and relief measures undertaken, and recommend appropriate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent such incidents in the future.