Jammu: With the registration entering 4th day on Friday, over 37000 pilgrims have so far enrolled themselves for the annual pilgrimage to the 13500-feet high
holy cave shrine of Amarnath in South Kashmir.
The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board began the registration process on May 10 for the yatra which will commence on June 29 and culminate on August 13.
"The registration counters have been set up at 121 designated branches of the J&K Bank, 24 of the YES Bank and four of the District Cooperative Banks," SASB spokesman said.
The Shrine Board, at its meeting on February 18 this year, has curtailed the period of the annual pilgrimage by 15 days. The yatra will commence simultaneously from Baltal and Chandanwari routes on June 29 and culminate on August 13.
Traditionally, the yatra used to run for two months beginning June 15.
There has been no increase in the fee of Rs 15 for registration either through the counters or the internet, the spokesman said.
Opposing curtailment of the yatra, the Baba Amarnath Yatri Niyas (BAYN), an amalgam of some 30 religious, social and trade organisations, has vowed to commence the pilgrimage on June 15. The VHP has also threatened to start the yatra from June 15.
The SASB has defended its decision saying the step was taken to ensure safe and smooth conduct of the arduous pilgrimage.
PTI
