Amarnathji Yatra commences simultaneously on both Pahalgam and Baltal routes

Srinagar, June 28(Scoop News)-The annual Yatra to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji in the Kashmir Himalayas commenced today on both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, simultaneously.
N. N. Vohra, Governor Jammu and Kashmir, who is Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, was scheduled to participate in the “pratham darshan and pooja” early today morning and also visit both the Base Camps, at Baltal and Nunwan, to review arrangements. He could not do so as the Helicopter carrying him and Navin K. Choudhary, CEO of the Shrine Board, was not able to go beyond Sonamarg due to bad weather and poor visibility in the morning.
On the occasion of the commencement of the annual Shri Amarnathji Yatra, the Governor has prayed for peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in the State.
The Governor, who has been daily monitoring arrangements for the Yatra has conveyed the Shrine Board’s thanks to the State Government, Army, Central Para Military Forces, State Police and all the concerned agencies for their support and cooperation. He has reiterated the need for effective supervision and close day to day monitoring by the Camp Directors and all the functionaries involved in the management of the Yatra, for ensuring smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, Mian Altaf Ahmad, Minister for Forests, flagged-off from Baltal two Baltal-Panjtarni helicopter services which are being operated by M/s Himalayan Heli Services Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd, while Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Minister for Tourism, inaugurated the Pahalgam-Panjtarni helicopter service at Pahalgam being operated by M/s Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd. Rafi Ahmad Mir, MLA, was among those present on this occasion.
This year’s Shri Amarnathji Yatra, which commenced from Baltal and Pahalgam this morning, will conclude on Raksha Bandhan on 21st August, 2013. The registration of the Yatris for this year’s Yatra had commenced on 18thMarch, 2013.
Meanwhile, Navin K. Choudhary, CEO, has once again appealed to the intending Shri Amarnathji Yatris to embark on the pilgrimage only after obtaining, in their own interest, a valid Yatra Permit. This would ensure against any avoidable inconvenience to them. The CEO reiterated that Yatris not possessing valid Yatra Permits will not be allowed to proceed beyond the Nunwan and Baltal Base Camps. Referring to some incorrect registration done by Jammu and Kashmir Bank, the CEO informed that instructions have been issued to Base Camp Directors to allow such Yatris to undertake the Yatra who have been registered on a wrong colour code but are otherwise validly registered. However, such Yatris who have come ahead of their scheduled date of embarking on the Yatra, as per their Registration Permit, will be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage on the date for which they have been registered. The CEO further said that unregistered Yatris have no option but to go back to Srinagar and first obtain registration before they can be allowed to undertake the Yatra.
The CEO said that the Board has also issued a detailed Advisory of Do’s and Don’ts for the Yatris visiting the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji. The Yatris need to strictly adhere to these Do’s and Don’ts as they have to undertake an arduous trek through high mountain ranges under adverse weather conditions, he added.