Wed Mar 05 12:21:07 UTC 2025: ## Amarnath Yatra to Begin July 3rd, Officials Announce
**Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir –** The annual Amarnath Yatra, a 38-day pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir, will commence on July 3rd and conclude on August 9th, officials announced Wednesday. The pilgrimage will run concurrently from both the traditional Pahalgam and Baltal routes.
The decision was made at the 48th Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) meeting, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The meeting focused on improving facilities and services for the expected influx of pilgrims. Enhancements planned include increased lodging capacity in Jammu, Srinagar, and other locations; operationalization of yatri facilitation centers for e-KYC and RFID card issuance; and on-spot registration at various points, including Nowgam and Katra railway stations. Further improvements are planned for facilities at Baltal, Pahalgam, Nunwan, and Pantha Chowk Srinagar.
Lieutenant Governor Sinha emphasized the need for adequate arrangements and amenities along the yatra routes, particularly calling for increased capacity at the Yatri Niwas in Pantha Chowk, Srinagar. The meeting also addressed ongoing projects, information dissemination, insurance coverage for pilgrims and service providers, expansion of online services, and track maintenance. Other key discussion points included crowd management at the holy cave, disaster preparedness, helicopter services, medical care, weather forecasting, and security. The LG concluded by thanking the board members for their contributions to the successful organization of the yatra.
First Piper 