VIPs to pay for special prayers at Vaishno Devi temple

VIPs to pay for special prayers at Vaishno Devi temple
1 Jun 2008, 1702 hrs IST,PTI

JAMMU: Taking a cue from the Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine board has decided to charge for special-priority darshan at the cave shrine.

"All VIP darshan on special-priority tickets will now be charged under different categories as we have adopted the model of Tirupati shrine," an official said.

The Board headed by Jammu and Kashmir Governor S K Sinha had taken the decision in this regard on Saturday, according to officials.

Pilgrims will now have to pay Rs 1,000 for morning darshan . For a darshan of the deity from the Bathing Gate (gate No 2), the charge will be Rs 500 per person, while Rs 200 will be charged for darshan through Gate-5. Children will not be charged.

Initially, only 300 to 400 pilgrims will be issued tickets for paid darshan .