Commencing on July 3, this year's annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Baba Amarnath will span 57 days. The Shri Amarnath Yatra will conclude on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan on August 28.
As reported earlier, registration for this year's Yatra will begin on April 15.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), announced the schedule for the pilgrimage. He said the Yatra will commence on July 3 and conclude on Raksha Bandhan, which falls on August 28. He further informed that the Pratham Puja, performed to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva, will be held on Jyeshtha Purnima on June 29.
The lieutenant governor said that advance registration for the Yatra will begin on April 15 through both offline and online modes.
"The registration facility will be available at 554 branches of J&K Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India, and Yes Bank across the country," he said.
He added that radio frequency identification devices (RFID) will be issued to every registered pilgrim and service provider.
Accident cover enhanced
During its 50th meeting held on February 12, the SASB approved an increase in the accidental insurance cover for registered yatris, service providers, officials, seasonal workers, and pujaris from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
The Board also approved the setting up of a laser and sound show dedicated to the holy shrine, to be hosted in both Srinagar and Jammu. The show will serve as a cultural attraction, showcasing the rich spiritual heritage of the Union Territory.
The Lieutenant Governor also directed officials to identify suitable locations for installing toilet facilities along the Yatra route. He further instructed the installation of shelter sheds and rain shelters along the tracks for pilgrims, service providers, and security personnel.
Lakhs of pilgrims from across the country visit the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine of Amarnath every year, which houses the naturally formed ice Shivlingam.
The Yatra is conducted via two routes—the traditional 48-km route from Pahalgam in Anantnag district and the shorter 14-km route from Baltal.
Registered pilgrims will be covered under group accident insurance, with the sum assured enhanced to Rs 10 lakh per person. Insurance coverage for ponies has also been increased, with Rs 50,000 per animal provided in case of accidental or natural death under the National Livestock Mission.
Registration details
As reported earlier, registration for this year's Amarnath Yatra will commence on April 15, as announced by the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. The process will be carried out through designated bank branches across the country, and Yatra permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each bank branch has been allotted a fixed daily quota for each route. Children below 13 years of age and elderly persons above 70 years will not be eligible for registration. Pregnant women beyond six weeks will also not be permitted to register.
Board officials said that Yatra permits will be issued through the NIC portal (https://jksasb.nic.in).
) after Aadhaar-based biometric e-KYC authentication. In case of technical glitches, bank branches will complete the registration process through manual photo capture and data entry.
