Amarnath Yatra: Over 3 Lakh Register for 62-day Pilgrimage

SRINAGAR: Amidst great anticipation, the annual Amarnath Yatra, one of India's most significant pilgrimages, is gearing up for its 62-day journey to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in the south Kashmir Himalayas. According to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), more than three lakh pilgrims have already registered for the Yatra, surpassing last year's numbers by 10 percent. CEO Mandeep Kumar Bhandari announced that the Yatra is set to commence on July 1 and will last until August 31, making it the longest pilgrimage duration in its history.

Preparations are in full swing as the shrine board, along with the union territory administration, makes necessary arrangements to welcome the yatris. The first batch of pilgrims will depart from Jammu's Bhagwati Nagar base camp on June 30, with heightened enthusiasm and spiritual fervor.

The pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine offers two routes for the devotees. The Baltal route involves a 14.5 km trek, while the Chandanwari route spans 32 km of challenging terrain up to the holy cave shrine, situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet. This year, significant improvements have been made to both tracks, including widening them and installing hand railings for enhanced safety. The tracks have also been illuminated to facilitate the smooth movement of pilgrims.

In order to safeguard the yatris from potential hazards such as shooting stones and landslides during heavy rains, helmets have been made available at vulnerable points along the routes. Additionally, mountain rescue teams have been deployed along the pilgrimage path to ensure prompt evacuation if necessary.

Learning from the unfortunate flash floods that claimed 15 lives last year, the shrine board has strictly prohibited pilgrims from staying near the cave shrine during the night. Public addressing systems and video walls have been set up at all camps to convey important information to the passengers.

To ensure constant connectivity, a major effort has been made to provide telecommunication services throughout the entire track. Optical fiber cables have been laid by service providers on both routes, guaranteeing access to internet and telecom facilities at all times.

To address the issue of sanitation, the shrine board, in collaboration with the Rural Development Department, municipal corporations, and development authorities, has established approximately 5,100 separate toilets along the pilgrimage route.

With record registrations, improved infrastructure, and enhanced safety measures, the Amarnath Yatra is poised to offer a fulfilling and secure spiritual journey to devotees. The stage is set for a memorable experience as pilgrims embark on this sacred pilgrimage to seek blessings and inner peace in the serene and awe-inspiring Amarnath shrine.

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