Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 16: Holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi ji has been witnessing massive rush of pilgrims during past two days with yatra surpassing 50,000 on both the days, setting a new record.
According to reports, over 51,000 pilgrims left Katra, the base camp of the shrine, for Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan yesterday while the number touched around 52,000 today.
Reports said the Shrine Board authorities stopped yatra from Katra after 43,225 pilgrims were issue yatra slips. However, there were another 8000 to 9000 pilgrims, who left for the shrine with online yatra slips.
Still, about 30,000 to 40,000 pilgrims were stranded at Katra awaiting their turn for yatra slip to leave for Vaishno Devi Bhawan.
Sources attributed heavy rush to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine to holidays.
Previously record of 51,000 pilgrims visiting the shrine in a single day stood on 31st December 2013.