Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh has reported a rise in the number of devotees visiting several prominent Devi temples during Sharadiya Navratri, as the state government continues development work at religious sites to expand facilities for pilgrims.
According to information shared by the state government, 22 major projects worth approximately ₹83 crore have been taken up at 20 Devi shrines across 19 districts. The initiatives aim to improve tourism-related facilities at temples and make visits more convenient for devotees.
Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh said the government was committed to preserving and developing religious sites and providing better facilities for visitors. He said efforts to develop Devi temples had been underway since 2017.
Vindhyavasini Temple in Mirzapur Records Over 30 Lakh Devotees
The Maa Vindhyavasini Temple in Vindhyachal, Mirzapur, recorded more than 30 lakh devotees during this year’s Navratri, compared with an estimated 20–22 lakh during the corresponding period last year.
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Pankaj Dwivedi, president of the Shri Vindhya Panda Samaj, shared the figures, according to the source report.
The Vindhyachal pilgrimage area also includes the Ashtabhuja Devi Temple and Kali Khoh Temple, which are among the important religious sites visited by devotees.
Prayagraj’s Alopi Devi Temple Sees Navratri Rush
The Maa Alopi Devi Temple in Prayagraj also reported substantial footfall during Navratri.
The figures cited in the source show the following visitor numbers:
- 2024: 6.25 lakh devotees.
- 2025: 11.10 lakh devotees.
- January–September 2026: Approximately 4.05 lakh devotees.
- Navratri 2026: More than 1.60 lakh devotees.
Temple priest Mansukh Giri said the shrine receives more than 20,000 devotees daily during Navratri. On Ashtami and Navami, the daily count rises above 30,000, according to the report.
Lucknow’s Badi Kali Ji Temple Receives Around 7 Lakh Devotees
The Badi Kali Ji Temple in Lucknow received approximately seven lakh devotees during this year’s Navratri.
Temple manager Raj Singh said the state government had approved more than ₹227.83 lakh for the temple’s tourism development.
Banda’s Vindhyavasini Dham Draws 18 Lakh Devotees
Vindhyavasini Dham in Banda reportedly received around 18 lakh devotees during Navratri this year.
According to the figures, the number of visitors has increased approximately 2.5 times compared with 2010. The report also notes an increase in footfall after 2017.
Ancient Jua Devi Temple in Balrampur Records Strong Footfall
The ancient Jua Devi Temple, also known as the Jwala Devi Temple, is located in Srinagar Bazaar in Jaitpur, under Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur district.
The source report provides the following visitor figures for the temple:
- 2023: Approximately 93,000 devotees.
- 2024: Around one lakh devotees.
- 2025: Approximately 1.10 lakh devotees.
- Navratri 2026: More than 90,000 devotees.
The temple is an important local religious site, attracting devotees from the surrounding area.
₹83 Crore Development Plan Covers 20 Devi Shrines
The Uttar Pradesh government has included 20 Devi temples across 19 districts in its development programme, with 22 major projects estimated to cost around ₹83 crore.
The projects focus on expanding tourism-related facilities at religious sites. The government says the work is intended to improve the experience of devotees visiting major temples as well as shrines with regional significance.
The temples highlighted include the Maa Vindhyavasini Temple in Mirzapur, Maa Alopi Devi Temple in Prayagraj, Badi Kali Ji Temple in Lucknow, Vindhyavasini Dham in Banda and Jua Devi Temple in Balrampur.
Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh said the state government would continue efforts to preserve religious sites, develop infrastructure and improve facilities for pilgrims.
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