JAMMU: A large number of pilgrims reached the Yatri Niwas Base Camp in Jammu on Thursday, ahead of the commencement of the annual Amarnath Yatra on July 1.
The 62-day yatra, which commences on July 1 and culminates on August 31, is an important pilgrimage for Hindus who visit the Amarnath Cave, believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva.
Manoj Sinha, lieutenant governor of Jammu & Kashmir, is likely to flag-off the first batch from here.
The first batch of pilgrims for the yatra were seen lining up in long queues outside the base camp at Bhagwatinagar and other facilitation centres. They were in high spirits, amidst tight security across various camps in Jammu city.
On Friday morning, the pilgrims will leave for two base camps, Baltal and Nunwan in Kashmir valley, from where they will make the onward journey on July 1.
The administration has begun on-the-spot (Tatkal) registration for pilgrims at different centres in the district.
The langar committees have also started their preparations to cater to the pilgrims.
Avny Lavasa, deputy commissioner of Jammu, said around 33 lodging centres have been established across the district while “Radio Frequency Identification” (RFID) tags will be issued at the registration centres.
Lavasa said pilgrims will get their “Tatkal registration” token number from the Jammu Railway Station itself and the place and date for registration will be mentioned in the token for which Aadhaar card of pilgrims is mandatory.
“In all, 5 counters have been established for Tatkal registration of pilgrims at Vaishnavi Dham, Mahajan Sabha, Panchayat Ghar, and two at Geeta Bhavan and Ram Mandir for the registration of Sadhus,” Lavasa said.
“Pilgrims will be given the RFID Tag at the registration centre itself. This is mandatory with the pilgrims permit,” she said.
So far, over 3 lakh pilgrims have registered themselves online for the yatra from various registration centres.
The 62-day yatra, which commences on July 1 and culminates on August 31, is an important pilgrimage for Hindus who visit the Amarnath Cave, believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva.
Manoj Sinha, lieutenant governor of Jammu & Kashmir, is likely to flag-off the first batch from here.
The first batch of pilgrims for the yatra were seen lining up in long queues outside the base camp at Bhagwatinagar and other facilitation centres. They were in high spirits, amidst tight security across various camps in Jammu city.
On Friday morning, the pilgrims will leave for two base camps, Baltal and Nunwan in Kashmir valley, from where they will make the onward journey on July 1.
The administration has begun on-the-spot (Tatkal) registration for pilgrims at different centres in the district.
The langar committees have also started their preparations to cater to the pilgrims.
Avny Lavasa, deputy commissioner of Jammu, said around 33 lodging centres have been established across the district while “Radio Frequency Identification” (RFID) tags will be issued at the registration centres.
Lavasa said pilgrims will get their “Tatkal registration” token number from the Jammu Railway Station itself and the place and date for registration will be mentioned in the token for which Aadhaar card of pilgrims is mandatory.
“In all, 5 counters have been established for Tatkal registration of pilgrims at Vaishnavi Dham, Mahajan Sabha, Panchayat Ghar, and two at Geeta Bhavan and Ram Mandir for the registration of Sadhus,” Lavasa said.
“Pilgrims will be given the RFID Tag at the registration centre itself. This is mandatory with the pilgrims permit,” she said.
So far, over 3 lakh pilgrims have registered themselves online for the yatra from various registration centres.
