The number of pilgrims visiting holy shrine of Shiv Khori has been continuously rising with record 7,33,948 arrivals till date during current year.Located in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir state, the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Shiv Khori is surrounded by luscious green mountains and is at a tracking distance of 3.5 kms from the base camp Ransoo. Shri Shiv Khori is about 140 kms from Jammu and less than 80 kms from Katra, the base camp of Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine.The latest data revealed that Shiv Khori Shrine registered highest ever yatra with over 15000 pilgrims reaching daily at the base camp Ransoo for the last fifteen days, while 1.21 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance during this month.Chairing a meeting of tour operaters and officials from different departments Ravinder Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Reasi who is also Vice Chairman of Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board (SSKSB) said that the board has undertaken many initiatives including provisions for all basic facilities, road connectivity, parking facilities and security measures to ensure a memorable experience for pilgrims. He said with these efforts the pilgrim footfall at the shrine has been rising every year.
The meeting was attended by Assistant Commissioner Revenue Reasi, Abdul Satar OSD SMVDSB, ARTO, Naib Tehsildar Ransoo, Journalist and Member Publicity Committee SSKSB- Devinder Thakur, President Hotel & Restaurant Association Katra, Rakesh Wazir, a large number of Tourists operators, members of media organizations & other agencies related to tourism industry.Kumar added that Reasi is emerging as one of the tourist attractions of Jammu province with tourists coming from all parts of country throughout the year and visiting religious places like Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, Shiv Khori, Dera Baba Banda Bahadur. He said they enjoy adventurous sports like river rafting and hiking, relax amid lush green hills overlook Salal power project.Kumar stressed upon all the concerned for providing better facilities to the pilgrims, so that a good message is spread across the country & even abroad to attract more & more tourists/pilgrims to the shrine and adjoining spots which have good tourist potential.To further promote tourism, Kumar called upon the tour operators to offer special tour packages to attract the tourists. The Tour Operators/Travel agents also put forth the problems faced by them.At the outset of the meeting, Mahesh Sharma, Executive Officer SSKSB presented a brief note about Shiv khori & other adjoining tourist spots of the district.