Synopsis
The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine has witnessed a remarkable increase in pilgrim donations, climbing to Rs 171.90 crore in the 2024-2025 financial year from Rs 63.85 crore in 2020-21. This surge reflects a growing devotion despite challenges faced during the pandemic.Key Takeaways
- Donations surged to Rs 171.90 crore in FY 2024-25.
- Gold offerings increased from over 9 kgs to 27.7 kgs.
- Silver donations rose from over 753 kgs to over 3,424 kgs.
- Visitor numbers peaked at an all-time high of 1.04 crore in 2012.
- Public protests occurred over a proposed ropeway project affecting local livelihoods.
Jammu, March 16 (NationPress) Donations made by pilgrims at the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir have reached Rs 171.90 crore in the current financial year (2024-2025), a substantial increase from Rs 63.85 crore in 2020-21, as reported by shrine board officials.
The quantity of gold offerings at the shrine has also seen a remarkable rise, growing from over nine kgs to 27.7 kgs, while silver donations surged from over 753 kgs to more than 3,424 kgs in the last five years.
In response to an RTI inquiry made by Jammu-based activist Raman Sharma, the shrine board disclosed that they received Rs 63.85 crore in donations during the fiscal year 2020-21, followed by Rs 166.68 crore in FY 2021-22, Rs 223.12 crore in FY 2022-23, Rs 231.50 crore in FY 2023-24, and Rs 171.90 crore in FY 2024-25 (up to January this year).
In 2020, only 17.20 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine, the lowest figure in over three decades, as the temple was closed for five months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pilgrimage site reopened on August 16, 2020.
Since the shrine board took over its management in 1986, the number of pilgrims has steadily risen from 13.95 lakh to a peak of 1.04 crore in 2012, compared to 1.01 crore the year prior.
Visitor statistics show 55.88 lakh pilgrims in 2021, 91.25 lakh in 2022, 95.22 lakh in 2023, and 94.84 lakh in 2024.
Regarding the total value of jewelry or ornaments such as gold offered at the shrine, the board indicated that over 9.075 kgs of gold was received in FY 2020-21, 26.351 kgs in FY 2021-22, 33.258 kgs in FY 2022-23, 23.477 kgs in FY 2023-24, and 27.717 kgs in FY 2024-25 (up to January this year).
In a similar vein, 753.630 kgs of silver were received in FY 2020-21, 2400.705 kgs in FY 2021-22, 3756.582 kgs in FY 2022-23, 4072.486 kgs in FY 2023-24, and 3424.538 kgs in FY 2024-25 (up to January this year).
The shrine board noted that these metals are received in an impure state, and their value can only be determined after refining. The yellow metal is processed to yield gold, and the white metal is refined into silver, which is then sold at souvenir shops.
It is worth mentioning that there has been significant public backlash in the shrine's base town, Katra, against a proposed ropeway project connecting Katra to the shrine.
This ropeway project, estimated at Rs 250 crore, aims to link Tarakote Marg (near the Katra base camp) to Sanjichhat, a crucial point on the 12-kilometre trek to the Vaishno Devi shrine.
The ropeway is projected to carry 1,000 passengers per hour and significantly cut down travel time, enhancing accessibility for devotees.
The initiative is expected to be operational by December 2026. However, local groups, including pithuwallas (porters), pony-wallas, palanquin owners, shopkeepers, and hoteliers, have protested against the project, fearing it could jeopardize their livelihoods.
They argue that the ropeway may displace traditional transport methods and decrease business opportunities for the local community.
Some estimates suggest that the project could impact over 60,000 families.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has engaged in discussions with the protesters, released detained individuals, and suspended work on the project.
