Amarnath Yatra to begin from July 1, 2019

The registration formalities of pilgrims for the Amarnath Yatra began on April 1, 2019, for both the Baltal as well as Chandanwari route. Interested pilgrims can apply through Jammu & Kashmir Bank, branches of Punjab National Bank and YES Bank throughout India. The yatra this year shall last for 46 days and will begin simultaneously on both the routes July 1, 2019, onwards and finish on Raksha Bandhan, August 15, 2019.
According to news reports, Umang Narula, CEO, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, told the press that the registration procedure has been put on the Board’s website. It has the application form and addresses of bank branches located across India, which the pilgrims can visit to apply for the yatra. Pilgrims need to provide a Compulsory Health Certificate for successful registration, and the format of the certificate. In addition, a State-wise list of doctors/institutes licensed to issue the certificate has been provided on the website.

For this year’s pilgrimage, only the health certificates issued after February 15, 2019, shall be considered.

Reportedly, yatris below the age of 13 years and more than 75 years, and women who are more than six weeks pregnant, won’t be accepted for the yatra.

The permits given for this year’s pilgrimage will vary for every day of the week and route and colour coding will be used to help the Police personnel stationed at the Access Control Gates at Baltal and Chandanwari to monitor the yatra for different routes and dates. Therefore, only those yatris having a valid Yatra Permit will be permitted to go beyond the Base Camp, and cross the Entry Gates at Domel and Chandanwari.

On the other hand, pilgrims planning to travel by helicopter need not register in advance as the helicopter tickets will serve the purpose. However, they need to furnish the Compulsory Health Certificate issued by the authorized doctor/health institute.