Katra (J and K): Everyday a mass of humanity surges up steep pathways that cut across the Trikuta woodland in lower Shivalik mountain range for mile after mile to reach the busiest holy cave shrine of 'Trikuta Bagwati' popularly known across India as Mata Vaishnodevi.

"Once a placid town in the lap of Trikuta hills a little distance away from Jammu and Kashmir highway, Katra, the base camp of this cave shrine knows no rest now", Additional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board (SMVSB), Rohi Kansal said.

Nearly 20 lakh pilgrims have visited cave shrine since January 2003, as 20,000-25,000 people visit the temple daily these days, Kansal said.

During last one decade, it has become the busiest shrine and most important pilgrimage centre in the country. He said the number of pilgrims rose from three lakh in 1972 to eight lakh in 1982 to 52 lakh in 2002.

"Ever since SMVSB took control of the shrine in 1986, the pilgrim flow increased from 13 lakh in 1986 to 52 lakh in 2002", Kansal added.

PTI