Vaishno Devi pilgrimage 2026: 50.70 lakh visit shrine by June 22
Synopsis
Vaishno Devi's 2026 Yatra has already crossed 50.70 lakh pilgrims by 22 June — a 27% jump over the same period in 2025. With the festive season still months away, the shrine is on course for a potential record annual footfall, underlining both the surge in religious tourism and the SMVDSB's expanded infrastructure capacity.
Key Takeaways
50.70 lakh pilgrims visited Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi, J&K by 22 June 2026 .
Year-on-year footfall rose by 10.86 lakh — up roughly 27% from 39.84 lakh in the same period of 2025 .
The 50-lakh landmark was crossed on 22 June 2026 , ahead of the peak festive season.
Improvements in ropeway, battery cars, sanitation, healthcare, and digital services by the SMVDSB are credited for the surge.
The Shrine Board functions under the chairmanship of J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha .
Officials expect footfall to climb further during the upcoming Navratri and winter festive months.
More than 50.70 lakh pilgrims have visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi, Jammu & Kashmir, by 22 June 2026, crossing the 50-lakh landmark ahead of last year's pace, officials of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) confirmed on Tuesday. The milestone marks one of the fastest footfall accumulations recorded at the revered cave shrine in recent years.
Record Footfall Compared to 2025
During the corresponding period in 2025, approximately 39.84 lakh pilgrims had undertaken the Yatra. This year's figure of 50.70 lakh represents a year-on-year jump of 10.86 lakh devotees — a rise of roughly 27% — reflecting a sharp surge in religious tourism to the Trikuta Hills shrine. Notably, the 50-lakh mark was breached on 22 June itself, weeks before the peak festive season begins.
Infrastructure and Management Behind the Surge
Officials attributed the growth to sustained improvements overseen under the chairmanship of J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The SMVDSB has expanded capacity across accommodation, sanitation, crowd management, healthcare, battery car operations, ropeway services, and disaster management preparedness. Digital initiatives — including online slot booking and real-time pilgrim tracking — have also enhanced convenience, according to the Board.
What the Numbers Signal
'As on this date, a total of 50.70 lakh devotees have undertaken the sacred pilgrimage to seek the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji,' a shrine official said. The sustained rise in numbers is seen as a reflection of both devotee confidence in the Board's arrangements and the broader recovery of pilgrimage tourism in Jammu & Kashmir following years of disruption.
Outlook for the Remaining Year
With the festive season — including Navratri and the winter months — still ahead, officials expressed optimism that the full-year tally could set a new benchmark. The current trajectory, if sustained, would comfortably surpass the total annual footfall recorded in 2025. Coordinated efforts between the Shrine Board, local administration, and transport agencies are expected to be scaled up further to handle the anticipated surge in the coming months.
Point of View
A region that spent years grappling with security concerns and administrative uncertainty. The SMVDSB's infrastructure push is real and measurable, but the harder question is capacity: can the shrine's approach routes, accommodation ecosystem, and emergency services scale proportionately if the festive-season surge pushes daily footfall to new peaks? Past crowd management failures at pilgrimage sites across India — from Kumbh to Tirupati — are a cautionary reminder that record numbers are only a success story if the infrastructure keeps pace.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pilgrims have visited Vaishno Devi in 2026 so far?
As of 22 June 2026, a total of 50.70 lakh pilgrims have visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi, Jammu & Kashmir. The 50-lakh milestone was crossed on 22 June itself, according to Shrine Board officials.
How does 2026 Vaishno Devi footfall compare to 2025?
In the same period of 2025, approximately 39.84 lakh pilgrims had visited the shrine. The 2026 figure of 50.70 lakh represents an increase of 10.86 lakh devotees, a rise of roughly 27% year-on-year.
Who manages the Vaishno Devi shrine and Yatra arrangements?
The shrine is managed by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), which functions under the chairmanship of J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The Board oversees infrastructure, accommodation, crowd management, healthcare, and digital services for pilgrims.
What improvements have been made to the Vaishno Devi Yatra infrastructure?
The SMVDSB has upgraded accommodation, sanitation, crowd management systems, healthcare services, battery car and ropeway operations, disaster management preparedness, and digital initiatives including online booking and real-time tracking.
What is the outlook for Vaishno Devi pilgrim numbers for the rest of 2026?
Officials are optimistic that footfall will rise further during the upcoming Navratri and winter festive season. If the current pace continues, the full-year tally is expected to comfortably exceed the total annual figure recorded in 2025.
