Jammu: The Shiv Khori shrine situated in the serene Reasi district of Jammu division has attracted over 11 lakh pilgrims from across the country since the beginning of this year.
About 5,000 to 6,000 pilgrims have been visiting the holy shrine everyday and over 11 lake pilgrims have visited it so far in 2014, Reasi District Development Commissioner Shahid Iqbal said.
He said the rise in the number of visitors to the shine was due to availability of facilities in the area. Many of the Vaishno Devi pilgrims are also visiting the Shiv Khori shrine now, he added.
The shrine witnessed a huge footfall of devotees during the Maha Shivratri and the trend resumed with the beginning of the Amarnath Yatra, he said.
Over the years, Reasi has emerged as one of the major tourist destinations of the Jammu division with the Vaishno Devi shrine attracting over one crore and the Shiv Khori shrine 20 lakh devotees annually, Iqbal said.
Although there were a number of other religious destinations in Reasi district like Aghar Jitto, Noaun Pandian, Baba Dhansar and Deera Baba Banda Bahudur, Shiv Khori was fast emerging as the second largest pilgrim destination after Mata Vaishnodevi temple, Iqbal said.
Keeping in view the natural beauty, topography and significance of the area, the Shiv Khori Board was also making all-out efforts to develop the place as a popular tourist destination with world class infrastructure, he said.
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