JAMMU, MARCH 6: A delegation of the Baba Amarnath and Buda Amarnath Yatri Niyas, Jammu, led by its President Sh. Surinder Mohan Aggarwal, met Governor N. N. Vohra, Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board at the Raj Bhavan, here today.
The delegation presented to the Governor a memorandum of their recommendations relating to this year’s Shri Amarnathji’s Yatra and the upgradation of various Yatra facilities. The delegation particularly discussed with the Governor the approach adopted by the Board in deciding this year’s Yatra schedule; performing ritual of Pratham Pooja at or some point nearest to the Holy Cave; increase in daily registration quota from both Pahalgam and the Baltal routes; opening of new routes to the Holy Cave from Zojila and Kishtwar; enhanced measures for ensuring security and safety of the pilgrims; adequate infrastructure from Lakhanpur to Banihal to facilitate yatris in case of bad weather or any other exigency; infrastructure to accommodate sadhus at Jammu; active participation of the BABA Yatri Niyas members with the Shrine Board in facilitating the Yatris.
Governor informed Sh. Aggarwal and his delegation members that this year’s Shri Amarnathji Yatra is scheduled to commence on 29th June 2017 on Skandshasthi, an auspicious day according to Hindu Calendar, and conclude on 7thAugust 2017. Governor observed that the duration and schedule of the annual Shri Amarnathji Yatra is limited on one side by the extent of snow fall in the preceding winter and on the other end by the date on which Raksha Bhandan falls. Governor recalled that the past experience of the Yatra from the Pahalgam route shows that pilgrimage on this route had to be deferred on several occasions in the past years due to heavy snows in the preceding winters. He observed that it takes considerable time in clearing / repairing the tracks and establishing the logistical arrangements all along the tracks and at the enroute Yatra Camps. Governor directed the CEO to ensure continuous follow up with the concerned Agencies so that both the routes of the Yatra are cleared of the accumulated snows before 29th June 2017.
Governor observed that the Board would continue to make all possible efforts for the Yatra to commence timely. Referring to the suggestions of the delegation, the Governor noted that fresh initiatives are being taken every year to bring about continuing improvements to facilitate the Yatris visiting the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji.
The delegation comprised Sh. Rajesh Gupta, Vice President, Sh. Karan Singh; Sh. Sudershan Khajuria and Sh. Shakti Dutt Sharma. Sh. P.K. Tripathi, CEO and Sh. Jitendra K. Singh, Additional CEO of the Shrine Board were present in the meeting.
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