Katra, April 10: The Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, announced a significant increase in the number of devotees visiting the shrine this year.
In an interview with a news agency, Vaishya stated, “This year, we are witnessing an unprecedented rise in the number of pilgrims at the Vaishno Devi shrine. So far, over 2.35 million devotees have visited the sacred cave temple. Compared to previous years, this marks an increase of approximately 1.5 times. This figure is very encouraging for the board, and I am confident that the number of devotees will continue to rise in the future.”
The Shrine Board has been making continuous efforts to enhance facilities for the pilgrims. The CEO mentioned that the board improves amenities each year to ensure a better experience for every visitor. This includes accommodation, food, travel routes, and darshan arrangements.
He elaborated, “Currently, we are increasing the capacity of rooms. A skywalk has been constructed for pilgrims heading towards the sacred cave, making the journey easier. To avoid crowding after darshan, a separate exit route has also been established. Additionally, a meditation room has been created where devotees can sit and meditate for free. With the rising number of participants in havan, we have reduced the havan fees. The helicopter service for visiting Baba Shiv Khodi is also being improved.”
Sachin Kumar Vaishya also highlighted the Shrine Board’s role in sports. He noted that the board is training local youth in various sports, offering facilities for archery, cricket, basketball, football, badminton, judo, table tennis, and lawn tennis. A large sports arena will soon be ready.
He praised local athlete Payal, who recently won two gold medals at the World Para Archery Championship in Bangkok, and mentioned that players like Sheetal Devi and Rakesh have previously been honored by the Indian government. The board ensures that athletes have proper accommodation and meals, and a special mess has recently been inaugurated to provide nutritious food for them.
In response to a recent controversy, the CEO stated that they fully respect religious traditions, but a video clip had been misrepresented. He emphasized the importance of timely availability of spiritual services and facilities for devotees alongside educational programs.
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