Archive · 14 Jan 2026
Vaishno Devi Cave Reopens for Makar Sankranti
The natural cave at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, which is usually closed for most of the year due to heavy crowds, was reopened on January 14, 2026, for the festival of Makar Sankranti.
This reopening is special because it allows devotees to see the goddess in the cave's original form, which is not usually accessible.
The shrine board, led by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, has put in place measures to manage the crowd and ensure a smooth experience for all pilgrims.
The shrine has seen an increase in visitors compared to the previous year, with an average of 20,000 to 25,000 pilgrims visiting daily.
The board is encouraging more devotees to use the old cave while maintaining safety and order.
The natural cave at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine reopened on January 14, 2026, for Makar Sankranti.
The cave is usually closed for most of the year due to heavy pilgrim inflow and is only accessible during January and February when footfall is lower.
The reopening allows devotees to experience darshan in the cave's original form, which is not accessible during the rest of the year.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has implemented measures to manage crowd flow and prevent congestion, including special provisions for elderly and differently-abled pilgrims.
The shrine has seen an increase in footfall compared to the previous year, with 3,05,217 pilgrims visiting during the first 13 days of 2026, up from 2,68,761 during the same period in 2025.
- Who
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) and devotees
- What
- Reopening of the natural cave at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine
- When
- January 14, 2026 (Makar Sankranti)
- Where
- Trikuta hills, Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir
- Why
- To provide a rare opportunity for devotees to experience darshan in the cave's original form and to preserve spiritual heritage
- Location
- Trikuta hills, Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir
- Reopening Date
- January 14, 2026 (Makar Sankranti)
- Chairperson of SMVDSB
- Lt Governor Manoj Sinha
- CEO of SMVDSB
- Sachin Kumar Vaishya
- Pilgrim Footfall (Jan 1-13, 2026)
- 3,05,217
- Pilgrim Footfall (Jan 1-13, 2025)
- 2,68,761
- Daily Average Pilgrims (2026)
- 20,000-25,000