Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir), August 04, 2020 - The Jammu and Kashmir Government today allowed opening of all religious places and places of worship in the Union Territory for pilgrims from August 16 but kept religious processions and large religious gathering prohibited till August 31.

The decisions were announced by Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam who also happens to be the Chairperson, State Executive Committee and will be effective from tomorrow except the religious places for which separate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued.

Pilgrimage to widely revered and historical cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji will also resume on August 16 after nearly five months. The pilgrimage was stopped in the middle of March following breakout of COVID Pandemic.

Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir), July 21, 2020 -Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) was left with no choice but to cancel Shri Amarnath Yatra 2020 in view of the alarming rise in the COVID pandemic cases. SASB Board Meeting held through Video Conference at Srinagar today which was presided over by Lt. Governor J&K, Shri G.C. Murmu, who is also the Chairman of the board. SASB, while deliberating over the issue decided to cancel Shri Amarnath Yatra 2020 this time in larger interest of the safety and security of pilgrims and general public. SASB said this would enable the health, civil and police administrations to focus on the immediate challenges facing them rather than diverting resources, manpower and attention to the conduct of the Shri Amarnath Yatra 2020. SASB expressed its regret to announce the cancellation of Shri Amarnath Yatra 2020.

Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir), July 05, 2020 -The Jammu & Kashmir UT administration has conveyed that Shri Amarnath Yatra 2020 would be conducted in a restricted manner due to COVID-19 Pandemic. The Yatra to Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnath at a height of 3,880-metres would be done strictly following the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for testing of persons entering the Union Territory of J&K. The administration said that only 500 pilgrims would be allowed per day by road from Jammu. Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam while was chairing the meeting of the sub-committee constituted by the Supreme Court for Amarnath Yatra said that Shri Amarnath Yatra this year will have to be undertaken in a restricted manner so that the SOPs for COVID-19 are strictly adhered to during the conduct of the Yatra. A maximum of 500 yatris only could be allowed per day by road from Jammu. SOPs for testing of persons entering the Union Territory would also be applicable to the intending pilgrims of Shri Amarnath Yatra 2020.

Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir), April 01, 2020 -The Jammu and Kashmir Government has postponed the registration of Shri Amarnath Yatra 2020 till April 15th in view of the nationwide lockdown to contain spread of coronavirus pandemic.

"The process of Registration for the annual pilgrimage commencing from June 23th has been postponed till 15th April," official sources here said on Wednesday.

New registration date is likely to be announced only after the lockdown opened. Additional Chief Executive Officer of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), informed by tweeting that the registration of the Shri Amarnath Yatra 2020 has been postponed till April 15th.

Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir), February 14, 2020 - Approach set out by the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Committee, which had been set up to advise regarding the duration and schedule of future Yatras, the Board, keeping in view the foremost concern of the safety and security of the pilgrims, decided that a 42-days Yatra would commence on 23rd June, 2020, an auspicious day of Jagan Nath Rath Yatra as per Hindu Calendar, and conclude on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) on 3rd August, 2020

Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu, Chairman, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), presided over the 37th Board Meeting held here today at Raj Bhavan, Jammu. Those present at the meeting included Shri Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lt Governor, Sh. BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary and Members of the Board including Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj; Shri D.C. Raina; Pt. Bhajan Sopori; Prof. Anita Billawaria; Dr. Sudershan Kumar; Dr. C.M. Seth and Prof. Vishwamurti Shastri. Shri Bipul Pathak, Chief Executive Officer; Sh. Anup Kumar Soni, Additional Chief Executive Officer; and other senior officers of the Shrine Board also attended the meeting.

Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir), January 28, 2020 - Chief Secretary J&K UT, B V R Subrahmanyam, today chaired the 9th High Level Committee Meeting at Civil Secretariat to review the arrangements being made for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, 2020.

Financial Commissioner, Finance, Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, CEO, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), Principal Secretary, Home, Principal Secretary Transport, Principal Secretary Planning, ADGP Security, ADGP (Coordination) PHQ, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, besides other concerned Administrative Secretaries, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag and senior officers participated in the meeting.

Katra (Jammu & Kashmir), September 29, 2019 - The nine-day Navratri festival today began at the Holy town Katra. The inaugural ceremony was also attended by Minister of State (MoS) for Prime Minister's Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, Advisor to Governor, K.K Sharma, Divisional Commissioner Jammu and Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Indu Kanwal Chib besides other senior officers. The inaugural ceremony was marked with traditional Puja and a colourful cultural bonanza comprising dances presented by the artists from all over the country. Artists of Regional Outreach Bureau of India mesmerized the public with cultural dances of Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Jharkhand etc. Folk dances of Jammu region like Kud, Geetru and a Bhaderwahi dance was also presented by the local artist.

Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir), August, 2018 - The J&K administration curtailed Shri Amarnath Yatra 2019 two weeks ahead of its scheduled following reports of security forces that terrorists could target it and disrupt peace in Jammu & Kashmir. The government had earlier suspended the pilgrimage till August 4 due to bad weather but pilgrims and tourists have now been asked to curtail their stay in the Kashmir valley too. The order has triggered panic and fueled fear among the population a major announcement was in the offing. On 6th August 2019, the Govt. of India scrapped Article 370 of the Constitution that grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, with an order saying "it shall come into force at once". The abrogation followed the Centre introducing the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Bill in Parliament. And since then there has been no tourism in Kashmir, whether pilgrimage or leisure. However Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra has been going on smoothly.

Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir), July 01, 2019 - The annual Yatra to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnath in the Kashmir Himalayas commenced today, from both the Pahalgam and the Baltal routes, with the first day of Shri Amarnath Yatra, 8403 pilgrims paid obeisance at the Holy Cave Shrine. Governor Satya Pal Malik, Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, paid obeisance at the Sanctum Sanctorum and participated in the Pratham Pooja ceremony. Governor reviewed the arrangements made for the pilgrims at the Shri Amarnath Yatra Shrine Camp and conveyed the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board’s thanks to the State Government, Army, Central Armed Police Forces, State Police and all the other concerned agencies for their support and cooperation. He stressed the need for effective supervision and round the clock monitoring by the Camp Directors and all the functionaries involved in the management of the Yatra for ensuring smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.

Srinagar, (Jammu & Kashmir), May 29, 2019 - To facilitate pilgrims of Shri Amarnath Yatra, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) launched the Online Registration facility on pilot basis at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar, Kashmir (J&K). This is a pilot project for Online Registration of intending pilgrims, launched on the directions of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board at its 36^th Board Meeting held on 7^th March 2019. For Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2019 commencing from 1^st July 2019 and the facility of Online Registration will be available to 500 pilgrims per day from both routes i.e. 250 from Pahalgam route and 250 from the Baltal route.

Jammu, (Jammu & Kashmir), April 27, 2019 - On-line Helicopter Booking for Shri Amarnath Yatra 2019 will commence on 1st May at 10:00 A.M. Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has made arrangements with M/s Global Vectra Helicorps Ltd. and M/s Himalayan Heli Services Pvt. Ltd. on the Neelgrath (Baltal)-Panjtarni-Neelgrath (Baltal) Sector and M/s UTair India Pvt. Ltd. on the Pahalgam-Panjtarni-Pahalgam Sector. Giving further details, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, informed that on-line booking facility shall be available to the intending Yatris from 1st May, 2019 on the website of the aforesaid Companies.

Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir), March 07, 2019 - Governor Jammu & Kashmir & Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), Satya Pal Malik, presided over the 36th Board Meeting held today at Raj Bhavan, Jammu. Regarding the duration and date of commencement of Yatra 2019, based on the approach set out by the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Committee, which had been set up to advise the Board regarding the duration and schedule of future Yatras, the Board, keeping in view the foremost concern of the safety and security of the pilgrims, decided that a 46 day Yatra would commence on 1st July, 2019, an auspicious day of Masik Shivratri as per Hindu Calendar and conclude on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) on 15th August, 2019.

Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir), August 26, 2018 - The annual pilgrimage to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji for the year 2018 concluded today, on Shravan Purnima, amid chanting of religious hymns in the spiritual ambience of South Kashmir Himalayas. Additional Chief Executive Officer of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board along with Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, visited the Holy Cave Shrine early this morning and prayed. Additional CEO stated that 2,85,006 lakh Yatris had paid obeisance at the Holy Cave Shrine in Shri Amarnath 2018, which had srated on 28th June along both the Baltal and the Pahalgam routes.

Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir), August 12, 2018 - The Holy Mace - Chhari Mubarak of Swami Amarnathji led by its sole custodian and head of True Trust, Mahant Deependra Giri was taken to Goddess 'Sharika-Bhawani' temple for Poojan. The Sharika Bhawani is the presiding deity of the Srinagar city who manifested herself in a figure of 'Shila' (holy rock) at Hari Parvat. Accompanied by Sadhus and devotees the pujan was performed and prayers offered for everlasting peace for Jammu & Kashmir. Chhari-Sthapana will be performed tomorrow at Shri Amareshwar Temple Akhara Building, Budshah Chowk Srinagar and would be kept in Shri Amareshwar Temple for 'Darshan' till it leaves for the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji.

Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir), July 09, 2018 - On the 12th day of the ongoing Shri Amarnathji Yatra, 9,606 pilgrims paid obeisance at Holy Cave and till date, 1,04,018 pilgrims have performed Darshan at the Holy Cave Shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas. During the initial eleven days since the start of the Shri Amarnath Yatra, the movement of pilgrims from Jammu to Kashmir Valley was suspended on three occasions due to rains and slippery track conditions on both the Yatra routes and landslides and shooting stones between Railpathri and Brarimarg which resulted in accumulation of a large number of pilgrims/ Yatris at Baltal and Nunwan Base Camps. The movement of Yatris was aso stopped from Jammu to the Base Camp of Baltal and Nunwan because of security concerns.

Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir), June 28, 2018 - On the first day of Shri Amarnath Yatra 2018, 1007 pilgrims paid obeisance at the Holy Cave by the evening.
The commencement of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra was considerably delayed due to continuous rain since last night and commenced only in afternoon, from both the Baltal and the Pahalgam routes, only 1316 Yatris were able to leave on the Baltal route and 60 on the Pahalgam route, for the Holy Cave Shrine.

Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir), April 12, 2018 - CEO informed that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for online booking of heli tickets have been formulated within the parameters of Air Traffic Services Regulations. The advance online booking for helicopter tickets will commence on 27th April 2018, from 10:00 AM onwards, through the websites of the respective heli-operator.

Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir), January 09, 2018 - The SASB discussed the important issue regarding the commencement and duration of Shri Amarnath Yatra 2018. Keeping in view the SASB’s foremost concern to safeguard the safety and security of the pilgrims, SASB decided that 60 days long Yatra would commence on 28th June 2018, on the auspicious day of Jyestha Purnima, as per Hindu Calendar and as per continuing tradition, conclude on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) on 26th August, 2018. Board noted the steps taken by CEO for the registration of pilgrims through 437 designated branches of Punjab National Bank, Jammu and Kashmir Bank and YES Bank, located in 32 States and UTs, and directed him to take all required steps to commence Advance Registration of pilgrims w.e.f. from 1st March 2018..