Amarnath pilgrimage may last around 52 days
Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Mar 21: Widened tracks, enhanced security arrangements, continuous helicopter services, additional accommodations and easy registration are some of the significant decisions taken by Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) for this year’s annual pilgrimage to Baba Barfani’s shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas which is expected to start on June 29 and conclude after 1.30 pm on August 19 on the occasion of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
The SASB meeting was held yesterday under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Additional companies of paramilitary forces which are being deputed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI) for smooth conduct of Parliamentary elections are expected to stay here beyond June 4, the day of counting, as annual pilgrimage to Shri Amarnath Ji shrine is expected to start on June 29.
Last year, the pilgrimage lasted 60 days but this year it will be of 52-day duration. This, the official sources told the Excelsior, has been done to ensure that the pilgrims have darshan of holy Ice Lingam of Lord Shiva till end. Last year, the Ice Lingam had melted few days prior to conclusion of the yatra.
Describing 52 days pilgrimage as good enough, the sources said it has generally been observed that during last 10 to 12 days, the yatra is reduced to just few hundreds. “In view of this, 52 days have been considered as more than sufficient for the annual pilgrimage,’’ the sources said.
On Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan, they said, the auspicious timing is after 1.30 pm and, therefore, the annual pilgrimage will conclude on August 19 afternoon. As the pilgrimage will start on June 29 from base camps of Baltal and Nunwan in Pahalgam, it will be flagged off a day before from Jammu.
Sources said directions have been issued for widening of tracks from both base camps including Nunwan and Pahalgam after snow starts melting and make them smooth to ensure good journey for the pilgrims. The administration is expecting good turnout of pilgrims to Shri Amarnath Ji cave shrine this time in view of improved security conditions and enhanced facilities.
There has been tourist boom as well in Jammu and Kashmir during last two years.
As per the sources, all additional companies of paramilitary forces which have started arriving in the UT for Parliamentary elections and will be here till June 4, the day of counting, are likely to be asked by the MHA to stay put in the Valley for Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage.
There will be more hygienic langars for the pilgrims while helicopter services will continue on both the tracks. Efforts are already on to ensure additional accommodation for the pilgrims at different places especially when the yatra has to halt due to adverse weather conditions.
However, the SASB will shortly come out with yatra schedule including date of beginning and conclusion of the pilgrimage, start of registration, total number of pilgrims to be allowed to the cave shrine in a day and other arrangements.
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