Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar offers prayers at Vaishno Devi Shrine in Reasi district

Jammu, June 18, 2026
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar on Thursday offered prayers at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, officials of the shrine Board said.

Akshay Kumar visited the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and offered prayers at the cave shrine.

The actor undertook the pilgrimage amid tight security arrangements and spent time at the shrine performing religious rituals and paying obeisance.

His visit attracted considerable attention from devotees and visitors present at the shrine, many of whom gathered to catch a glimpse of the star during his spiritual journey.

Akshay Kumar’s visit comes at a time when the shrine is witnessing a steady influx of pilgrims from across the country.

The actor’s presence generated considerable enthusiasm among devotees and tourists alike.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, located atop the Trikuta Hills of Reasi district, remains one of the most venerated pilgrimage destinations in the country, drawing millions of devotees annually.

Officials ensured seamless arrangements for the actor during the visit, while devotees continued their pilgrimage without any significant disruption. The actor later departed after completing his visit to the shrine.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine witnesses a massive and continuous influx of pilgrims, especially during peak seasons like summer vacations, Navratras, and New Year. Crowding frequently requires the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to temporarily halt RFID registration to manage Bhawan capacity safely.

Daily pilgrim numbers range between 20,000 and 40,000 with peaks exceeding 3 lakh devotees in a single week during holiday influxes.

Due to overwhelming crowds at the Bhawan, authorities sometimes suspend the issuance of Yatra Slips at Katra temporarily. Operations typically resume in the early morning.

Surges of pilgrims are heavily tied to school holidays and favourable climatic conditions, leading to longer wait times that can stretch up to 12–20 hours for Darshan, and spikes in accommodation and travel costs.(Agency)