Jammu, Dec. 29 -- Ahead of New Year, thousands of pilgrims thronged holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi atop the Trikuta hills in Jammu's Reasi district.
According to the details groups of families and friends, wrapped in warm clothing to brace against chilly winds, trekked from the base camp in Katra despite mixed weather conditions featuring intermittent sunshine, clouds, and icy breezes.
The devotees' enthusiasm remained undeterred by the cold.
Reports indicated that daily arrivals at Katra surged to between 20,000 and 26,000 pilgrims, underscoring the traditional New Year rush. Authorities expected further increase, with an additional 70,000 visitors projected by the end of 2025.
To manage the influx, Indian Railways operated special r...