Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage Sees Decline Amid Security Concerns and Natural Calamities

Jammu, Dec 29: The annual pilgrim footfall at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop the Trikuta hills in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district fell below the 70 lakh mark in 2025, reflecting the impact of security concerns and repeated weather-related disruptions, officials said.

According to official figures, 68.85 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the shrine till December 28, with around 70,000 more devotees expected to visit during the remaining days of the year amid the New Year rush.

The figures mark a sharp decline of over 27 per cent compared to 2024, when the shrine recorded an annual footfall of 94.84 lakh pilgrims. Officials attributed the drop to a series of security-related incidents and natural calamities that disrupted pilgrimage activity during peak periods.

The year witnessed multiple setbacks, beginning with the April terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead and led to heightened security across the region. This was followed in May by Operation Sindoor, during which Indian armed forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan, escalating border tensions and affecting travel sentiment.

Weather-related disruptions further compounded the situation. On August 26, a landslide triggered by incessant rainfall along the yatra track near Katra claimed the lives of 35 pilgrims and damaged a crucial stretch of the route, forcing authorities to suspend the pilgrimage for nearly three weeks during August and September  traditionally among the busiest months.

“The safety of pilgrims remains our top priority. Suspension of the yatra was decided based on real-time assessments of weather conditions and track stability,” a Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board official said.

Despite the challenges, the shrine board continued infrastructure upgrades throughout the year, including track maintenance, enhanced disaster preparedness and improved surveillance systems. The pilgrimage was resumed after restoration work, safety audits and additional deployment of security personnel, coupled with continuous monitoring of weather advisories.

Official data shows April recorded the highest footfall with 9,81,228 pilgrims, followed by March (9,40,143) and June (9,26,263). September saw the lowest turnout at 1,85,165 devotees due to record rainfall and flood-like conditions in the Jammu region.

Month-wise figures show January recorded 5,69,164 pilgrims, February 3,78,865, May 4,13,365, July 6,77,652, August 5,33,756, October 3,84,952, November 4,23,553, while 4,71,396 pilgrims visited the shrine in December so far.

Historical data indicates a steady rise in pilgrim arrivals since the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board took over the shrine’s management in 1986, when footfall stood at 13.95 lakh. The number peaked at an all-time high of 1.04 crore in 2012, following 1.01 crore pilgrims in 2011.

However, the trend has seen periodic declines due to extraordinary events. Footfall dropped to 67.92 lakh in 2008 during the Amarnath land row agitation, fell again between 2013 and 2016, and declined to 79.40 lakh in 2019 following the revocation of Article 370.

The lowest number in over three decades was recorded in 2020, when only 17 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine after it remained closed for five months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pilgrim numbers rebounded to 55.77 lakh in 2021, officials added.