Akshay Kumar offers prayers at Vaishno Devi Shrine in Reasi, J&K
Synopsis
Akshay Kumar made a quiet pilgrimage to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Reasi on 18 June, drawing attention from fellow devotees. The visit spotlights one of India's busiest pilgrimage sites, where daily footfall hits 40,000 and peak-week crowds can cross 3 lakh — with wait times stretching up to 20 hours.
Key Takeaways
Akshay Kumar offered prayers at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine , Reasi district , on 18 June 2025 .
The visit was conducted amid tight security; other pilgrims were not disrupted.
The shrine records daily pilgrim numbers between 20,000 and 40,000 , with peaks exceeding 3 lakh in a single week .
Darshan wait times can stretch up to 12–20 hours during peak seasons such as Navratras and summer vacations.
The Shrine Board periodically suspends RFID registration and Yatra Slip issuance at Katra to manage Bhawan capacity safely.
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar on Thursday, 18 June offered prayers at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, according to officials of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. The actor undertook the pilgrimage amid tight security arrangements, performing religious rituals and paying obeisance at the cave shrine nestled in the Trikuta Hills.
The Visit
Kumar's presence at the shrine drew considerable attention from devotees and tourists already on the premises, many of whom gathered for a glimpse of the actor during his spiritual journey. Officials ensured seamless arrangements for the visit, and the pilgrimage of other devotees continued without any significant disruption. Kumar departed after completing his darshan.
Why the Shrine Is in Focus
The visit comes during a period of sustained pilgrim activity at the shrine. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, one of the most venerated pilgrimage destinations in India, draws millions of devotees each year. Daily pilgrim numbers typically range between 20,000 and 40,000, with peaks exceeding 3 lakh devotees in a single week during holiday influxes.
Crowd Management Challenges
The shrine experiences its heaviest footfall during peak seasons — summer vacations, Navratras, and New Year — when surges are heavily tied to school holidays and favourable climatic conditions. Wait times for darshan can stretch up to 12–20 hours during such periods, and accommodation and travel costs spike accordingly.
To manage capacity safely at the Bhawan, the Shrine Board periodically suspends RFID registration and temporarily halts the issuance of Yatra Slips at Katra, resuming operations typically in the early morning hours. Notably, Kumar's high-profile visit is likely to further amplify interest in the shrine among fans and devotees nationwide.
Point of View
But this visit draws attention to a more substantive issue: the shrine's chronic crowd-management challenge. With daily footfall touching 40,000 and peak-week numbers crossing 3 lakh, the Shrine Board's reactive measures — suspending RFID registration, halting Yatra Slips — are stopgaps, not solutions. Akshay Kumar's visit will likely spike interest further; the real question is whether infrastructure investment is keeping pace with devotee demand.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Akshay Kumar visit the Vaishno Devi Shrine?
Akshay Kumar visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine on Thursday, 18 June, offering prayers at the cave shrine in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir.
Where is the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine located?
The shrine is located atop the Trikuta Hills in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of India's most venerated pilgrimage destinations, drawing millions of devotees annually.
How many pilgrims visit Vaishno Devi daily?
Daily pilgrim numbers at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine typically range between 20,000 and 40,000, with peaks exceeding 3 lakh devotees in a single week during holiday seasons.
Why does the Shrine Board suspend RFID registration?
The Shrine Board temporarily suspends RFID registration and Yatra Slip issuance at Katra to manage Bhawan capacity safely during surges, particularly during Navratras, summer vacations, and New Year. Operations typically resume in the early morning hours.
How long is the wait for darshan during peak season?
During peak periods, wait times for darshan at Vaishno Devi can stretch up to 12–20 hours, driven by school holidays and favourable weather conditions that bring large numbers of pilgrims simultaneously.
