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New Delhi: Registration for this year’s Amarnath Yatra started at 533 branches of various banks across the country on Tuesday. The Yatra starts from July 3.
Great enthusiasm was noticed among people who queued up outside banks since early in the morning to get registered. While the process started at 10 am, some prospective Yatris had queued up since 7 am. Chants of ‘Bam Bam Bhole’ and ‘Jay Bholenath’ went up as the bank counters opened.
“Not only men, a large number of women also queued up to get registered. There were a number of elderly people as well,” a bank official from New Delhi said. According to him, the registration process was to begin on Monday, but was deferred due to a bank holiday on Ambedkar Jayanti.
The prospective pilgrims said that there is special significance in getting registered on the first day itself. This would ensure that they are among the first lot of pilgrims travelling to the shrine, 12,756 feet above mean sea level. They believe that being the first to have Darshan, they will be able to see the ice Shivling in its complete form.
According to figures released by the Union home ministry, a record 5.12 lakh pilgrims participated in the Yatra in 2024. This was a record in the last 12 years.
This year, a biometric method is being used for registration. Applicants have to pay Rs 150 and submit a health certificate to register. Children below the age of 13 years and senior citizens above 70 are not allowed to register. Even pregnant women are not allowed to make the arduous journey.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Jammu and Kashmir administration have, meanwhile, started making security arrangements for the Yatra, amidst a rise in infiltration bids by terrorists from Pakistan in the Jammu sector. The 2024 Yatra was by and large peaceful.
The Amarnath Yatra is not only a major pilgrimage for Hindus, it also boosts the local economy. A large number of Muslims are involved in providing various services during the Yatra.
