Says this year’s pilgrimage significant, two shrawan months
Jammu- As the annual pilgrimage of Amarnath Yatra is set to commence from July 1, Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of the “Chhari Mubarak” or the holy Mace of Lord Shiva has announced the Amarnath Yatra 2023 programme for the pilgrims.
The administration has also issued the list of its five spot registration and 33 accommodation centres across the district.
In a statement to Kashmir Observer, Mahant Giri said that this year’s pilgrimage brings greater significance as “we have two ‘Shravan’ months and this extraordinary astronomical event has taken place after 19 years.”
The annual 62-day-long Amarnath Yatra will commence on July 1 from the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
As per the age-old tradition, rituals of ‘Bhoomi-Pujan’, ‘Navgrah Pujan’ and ‘Dhawajarohan’ connected with traditional commencement of annual pilgrimage of Chhari-Mubarak Swami Amarnath Ji shall be performed at Pahalgam on auspicious occasion of “Ashad-Purnima” (Vyas-Purnima) on Monday July 3 this year.
He said the Chhari-Mubarak shall be taken to historic Shankracharya Temple on August 16 and Sharika Bhawani Temple on August 17 before rituals are performed for Chhari-Sthapana at Shri Amareshwar Temple Dashnami Akhara Srinagar on Saturday August 19, 2023 accordingly.
Mahant said that after performing Chhari-Pujan at Dashnami Akhara Srinagar on auspicious occasion of ‘Nag-Panchami’ on August 21, Mahant Deependra Giri ji shall carry the Holy Mace to Holy Shrine of Swami Amarnath Ji to perform pujan and have “Darshan” on early morning of “Shravan-Purnima”, the f August 31 after having night halts at Pahalgam on August 26 and 27, Chandanwari on August 28, Sheshnag on August 29 and Panchtarani on August 30, respectively.
Mahant Deependra Giri ji has also advised sadhus and members of civil society to get themselves registered who intend to join Chhari-Mubarak and stated that only registered sadhus and pilgrims with valid Yatra Permit shall be allowed to accompany Chhari-Mubarak during the pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, Jammu administration has set up five spot registration centers of which two has been kept exclusively for the Sadhus.
“All arrangements are in place and the district administration is on its toes to welcome the pilgrims of Shri Amarnath Yatra,” said Avny Lavasa, Deputy Commissioner Jammu.
She said that across the Jammu district, 33 accommodation centres have been established that included Sabhas, Sarais and Lodges,” adding, “at Bhagwati Nagar based Yatri Niwas, only registered pilgrims will be allowed to enter.”
On ‘Tatkal registration’ the Deputy Commissioner said that pilgrims will get their token number from Saraswati Dham, near Jammu Railway Station and the place and date for registration will be mentioned in the token for which Aadhar card of the pilgrims is mandatory. The administration has established five ‘Tatkal’ (urgent) registration counters at prominent locations of Jammu city.
“In all five counters have been established for Tatkal registration of the pilgrims at Vaishnavi Dham, Mahajan Sabha, Panchayat Ghar and two at Geeta Bhawan and Ram Mandir for the registration of Sadhus,” she added.
“Medical examination will be done at the registration centre itself. Apart from this, pilgrims can get their medical examination done before registration at the Government Hospital, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, Government Hospital, Sarwal, Jammu, Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, Gangyal, Jammu,” the district administration chief stated.
Lavasa further added that the pilgrims after collecting the token, can register themselves by paying the charge of Rs. 220 at the Vaishnavi Dham (Railway Station, Jammu), Panchayat Bhawan, (Railway Station, Jammu), Mahajan Sabha (Shalamar Road, Jammu), Ram Mandir, Purani Mandi (Only) for Sadhus/Saints and Geeta Bhawan, Parade (Only for Sadhus/Saints) .
“Pilgrims shall be provided RFID Tag at the registration centre itself which is mandatory with the pilgrims permit,” she said.
“The pilgrims are allowed to move in and out from Yatri Niwas from 10 am to 6 pm and those going by private vehicles, shall report at Yatri Bhawan Bhagwati Nagar after getting fuel filled before 10 pm to join the convoy of registered pilgrims,” she said.
The Deputy Commissioner also said that pre-registration (online) pilgrims can get their RF1D tags at Yatri Niwas and Railway Station, Jammu.
The district administration has also fixed fare based upon the distance for commercial vehicles to facilitate the pilgrims and also to prevent the overcharging by the operators.
Administration however, has also planned ‘Jammu Darshan’ for the pilgrims to boost tourism and attract more tourists to Jammu and Kashmir. So far, around 3 lakh pilgrims have reportedly registered themselves online for the yatra.
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