Jammu, April 15, 2025 – The offline registration for the 2025 Amarnath Yatra kicked off with fervent enthusiasm as devotees queued up at designated bank branches across Jammu on Tuesday, eager to secure their spots for the sacred pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave. The 38-day journey, set to commence on July 3 and conclude on August 9, 2025, will see pilgrims trekking to the revered shrine housing the naturally formed ice Shiva Lingam, a symbol of Lord Shiva’s divine presence.
Managed by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board , the pilgrimage offers two routes: the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter, steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district. To facilitate advance registration, SASB has designated 540 bank branches nationwide, including Punjab National Bank, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, and YES Bank, alongside an online registration portal launched on Monday. “The advance registration began this morning with devotees turning up early to secure their slots,” said an official at PNB’s Rehari branch, emphasising that registration is mandatory for all yatri’s.
Pilgrims expressed uncontainable joy as they lined up, chanting “Bham Bham Bole” in devotion to Baba Barfani. Ajay Mehra, a local resident, shared, “This is my seventh yatra, and the happiness of visiting the shrine is beyond words.” Sham Lal Dogra, awaiting his 45th visit, encouraged others to undertake the journey, while first-timers like Asha Devi voiced excitement, saying, “I’ve waited years for this, and my dream will finally come true.” College student Atika added, “My family has visited before, and now it’s my turn to pay obeisance.”
Eligibility criteria ensure safety, barring those under 13, over 75, or women more than six weeks pregnant. A Compulsory Health Certificate is required, issued by authorised medical institutions, to confirm fitness for the high-altitude trek. Pilgrims must also collect RFID cards for security and carry essentials like woollen clothing and waterproof gear, given the unpredictable weather at 3,888 meters above sea level.
The registration process dovetails with Jammu’s broader preparations, including the Tawi Riverfront’s lush green transformation, set to host cultural and religious events during the yatra. With over 5.12 lakh pilgrims visiting last year, the highest in a decade, SASB has enhanced lodging and facilitation centers in Jammu, Srinagar, and key points like Nowgam and Katra railway stations to accommodate the expected influx.
As devotees register, the air is thick with anticipation for a spiritual journey that blends faith, resilience, and community. The Amarnath Yatra, culminating on Raksha Bandhan, promises to draw thousands to the Himalayan cave, where the ice Lingam embodies Lord Shiva’s eternal grace.