Efforts on to attract pilgrims to Shiv Khori

Devinder Thakur

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Katra, August 23

The Reasi district administration has launched efforts to attract pilgrims to other shrines situated on the Shiv Khori shrine circuit by providing additional infrastructure facilities.

Shiv Khori is one of the most venerated cave shrines in Reasi district of Jammu region, which is situated close to Katra, the base camp of the Vaishno Devi shrine. The Shiv Khori cave is nearly 100 metres long and houses a four-foot-high Shivalingam.

Last year, a total of 14.29 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine compared to 50,000 pilgrims nine years ago. Over 78.03 lakh pilgrims visited Vaishno Devi shrine last year.

“We are developing the Shiv Khori tourist circuit in such a way that pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi can travel to nearby shrines like Shiv Khori,” said Sushma Chauhan, District Development Commissioner, Reasi, who is also vice chairperson of the Shiv Khori Shrine Board.

Connectivity and infrastructure facilities for the Shiv Khori tourist circuit were being strengthened for the purpose. “Efforts are on to provide additional infrastructure facilities. Our main aim is to attract more pilgrims, which can further boost religious tourism here,” said Chauhan.

The Shiv Khori circuit is being developed in a manner to link it to other sites like Akhnoor, Reasi town and Salal Lake on the Chenab.

The civil administration has chalked out plans to link the pilgrimage of Vaishno Devi to Reasi town, which is associated with the legendary Zorawar Singh, general of Maharaja Ghulab Singh, founder of Jammu and Kashmir state.

Efforts are on to give a facelift to Bhimgarh Fort, which was built by Maharaja Ghulab Singh in 1817. “We have started promoting the Shiv Khori circuit through various campaigns,” said Chauhan.