The annual Amarnath Yatra will commence on 3rd of July this year and conclude on Raksha Bandhan on 28th of August, spanning 57 days. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that the Pratham Puja to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva will be performed on 29th of June, coinciding with Jyeshtha Purnima.
Addressing a press conference at Lok Bhavan in Jammu, the Lieutenant Governor announced that advance registration for the Yatra will begin on 15th of April through both online and offline modes. Registration facilities will be available at 554 branches of major banks, including Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India, and Yes Bank across the country.
He said Radio Frequency Identification Devices will be issued to all registered pilgrims and service providers. Pilgrims will also be covered under group accident insurance of up to 10 lakh rupees per person. Insurance coverage of 50 thousand rupees per animal will be provided for ponies under the National Livestock Mission.
The Lieutenant Governor added that grid power supply and adequate lighting will be ensured along the Yatra routes, including the Baltal axis up to the Holy Cave and further to Panjtarni. Facilities such as e-services and a prepaid system for hiring ponies, pithoos, and palkis will also be available.
Yatri Niwas accommodation will be provided at Baltal, Pantha Chowk in Srinagar, Nunwan, and Chanderkote to facilitate pilgrims.
