INVC NEWS
Jammu and Kashmir : As of now, it is expected that over five lakh pilgrims will participate in the Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir in 2023. The administration is actively working to make this year’s yatra the largest in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, with plans to invite 8 to 10 lakh pilgrims to take part.
Online booking for helicopter services for the Amarnath Yatra has commenced in Jammu. The helicopter service will be available from Srinagar, Baltal, and Pahalgam, providing relief to elderly individuals and those with limited time. It’s worth noting that the online helicopter booking service has started later than usual this year. Over 2.5 lakh devotees have already registered, and the Shrine Board has opened several counters for on-spot registrations.
The good news is that the Amarnath Shrine Board has not increased the rates of helicopter tickets, and they will be available at last year’s prices. Advanced registration for the pilgrimage has already seen over 2.5 lakh devotees participating. Helicopter bookings can be made through accredited agents or the official website of the Amarnath Shrine Board. The annual Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to commence on June 30, with the registration process continuing until the end of the journey.
The first batch of pilgrims, including sadhus (holy men), will depart from Yatri Niwas Bhagwati Nagar Jammu and Ram Mandir Jammu on June 30. During the yatra, in addition to the helicopter service, it is planned to send 15,000 pilgrims daily through both yatra routes. However, individuals below 13 years of age and above 75 years of age are not allowed to travel.
The state government has implemented stringent security arrangements to ensure the safety of devotees from Lakhanpur, the gateway to the state, to Baltal, Pahalgam, and the holy cave. Drones and Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID) are being used to monitor the movements of devotees, ensuring continuous surveillance by security agencies.
The officials of the Amarnath Yatra Shrine Board have acknowledged the need for extensive arrangements to accommodate such a large number of pilgrims. Consequently, the administration has made thorough preparations well in advance to welcome the devotees of Lord Shiva.
Please note that this information is based on the latest update available up until my knowledge cutoff date in September 2021. For the most accurate and up-to-date details on the Amarnath Yatra 2023, I recommend referring to official sources and news outlets closer to the time of the pilgrimage.
