J&K: 42-Day Long Annual Amarnath Yatra To Begin From 23 June This Year, Announces Shrine Board

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), on Friday (14 February) presided over the 37th Board Meeting held at Raj Bhavan, Jammu, an official said in Jammu.

Regarding the duration and date of commencement of the Yatra 2020 pilgrimage, based on the approach set out by the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Committee, which had been set up to advise on the duration and schedule of future Yatras, and keeping in view the the safety and security of the pilgrims, the Board decided that a 42-day Yatra would commence on 23 June 2020, on the auspicious day of the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra festival and conclude on the occasion of Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan festival) on 23 August 2020.

The Board noted the steps taken by the CEO for registration of pilgrims through 442 designated branches of the Punjab National Bank, Jammu and Kashmir Bank and YES Bank, located in 32 states and union territories (UTs), and directed him to take all required measures to commence the advance registration of pilgrims from April 1, 2020.

Considering the success of the Pilot Project of Online Registration of a limited number of intending pilgrims in 2019, the Board decided to increase the quota of online registrations.

The Board also directed that wide publicity be made, through the electronic and print media, informing intending pilgrims to timely secure the prescribed Compulsory Health Certificates issued by the Doctors or hospitals nominated by their home states or UTs and only, thereafter, seek advance registration from the nearest designated bank which would issue the pilgrim a Yatra permit valid for the specified date and route.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)