60-day long Amarnath Yatra to commence on June 28 this year
Srinagar, January 10: The 60-day long annual yatra to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in South Kashmir Himalayas will commence on June 28 and will last till August 26 of this year. However, this year's yatra will be longer by 20 days against last year's 40 days which has brought a joy to the devotees.
A spokesman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) on Wednesday said, "The Board decided that a 60-day long Yatra would commence on June 28, on the auspicious day of Jyestha Purnima, as per Hindu Calendar, and, as per continuing tradition, conclude on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) on August 26,"
The decision was taken by Jammu and Kashmir Governor and chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) N N Vohra in the 34th meeting of the shrine board held in New Delhi. The meeting was held to discuss the implementation of the directions recently passed by National Green Tribunal (NGT) in regard to the conduct of Shri Amarnathji Yatra and to decide the further course of action.
The official spokesman said, “The board also decided that 7,500 Yatris per day on each of the two routes would be allowed to secure advance registration for the pilgrimage.” Interestingly, pilgrims who will travel by helicopters are excluded.
He further noted that the advance registration of pilgrims will start to begin on March 1 of this year. “The Board reviewed the action plan drawn up for the conduct of Yatra 2018, particularly the arrangements which are being made for providing medical care, sanitation facilities and installation of the railings at all vulnerable points along each of the two routes,” the spokesman added.
Earlier, in the month of December last year, the National Green Tribunal imposed new rules to safeguard the environment. NGT declared the Amarnath cave shrine as silence zone and prohibited religious offerings beyond the entry point. But NGT clarified that it has not imposed any restriction including on chanting of mantras and singing of bhajans inside the cave shrine, following protests over its decision on the very next day.
Over 7 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine last year. The cave shrine is situated at a height of 3,888 metres above sea level and has two routes leading to it, one from Pahalgam, about 100 km from Srinagar, and another from Baltal, 110 km from Srinagar.
The pilgrimage routes pass through high mountains and glaciers, involving a steep climb, and most of the track, despite clearance of snow, is slippery and full of slush, making it difficult for the pilgrims to negotiate the tortuous terrain.
A naturally made stalagmite of snow considered to be an ice "lingam" or icon of Lord Shiva is the main attraction of the cave shrine. It is believed that Lord Shiva had narrated the tale of immortality to his consort, the Goddess Parvati at the cave. Thus, it is known as "Amarnath", which when translated means "Lord of immortality".
