The 62-day long Shri Amarnathji Yatra will commence on 1 July this year and culminate on 31 August.

Further, the registration through online and offline modes for the yatra will start from 17 April.

Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha while announcing the dates for holy pilgrimage and registration today said the administration is committed to ensure smooth and hassle free pilgrimage.

“Hassle-free pilgrimage is top priority of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Shri Amit Shah. The administration will provide best-in-class healthcare and other essential facilities to all the visiting devotees and service providers. Telecom services will be made operational prior to the commencement of pilgrimage. All the stakeholder departments are working in coordination to ensure facilities for lodging, power, water, security and other arrangements for the smooth conduct of yatra,” the Lt Governor said.

The yatra would commence simultaneously from both the routes – the Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district.

The Lt Governor also directed the officials to ensure high levels of cleanliness and to take necessary intervention for sanitation and waste management.

Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) will also enable live telecast of morning and evening Aarti (prayers) for devotees across the globe. Shri Amarnathji Yatra’s App has been made available on the Google play store to get real time information about the Yatra, weather and for availing several services online.

During the 44th meeting of SASB chaired by the Lt Governor, the members and officials had reviewed various aspects of Shri Amarnathji Yatra-2023, including registration, provision of helicopter services, service providers, camps, langars and insurance cover for Yatris.

During 2022, the pilgrimage lasted 43 days from 30 June to 11 August. Pilgrimage was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID and only ‘Chhari Pujan’ was performed.

In 2019, the yatra was curtailed by about 15 days ahead of 5 August decisions of the Central Government to abrogate special status of erstwhile State and bifurcate it into two Union Territories of J-K and Ladakh.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had chaired the 44th meeting of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) at Raj Bhawan on 31 March to discuss arrangements and duration of the pilgrimage.

The Chief Engineer BRO had briefed the meeting on the progress regarding maintenance, restoration and development works on the yatra tracks. (Daily Excelsior)