Amarnath Yatra to start from June 25

To continue till August 2; mandatory for pilgrims to submit fitness certificates

The annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine deep in the Himalayas of south Kashmir will begin on June 25 this year.

The decision was taken after the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board,at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra,accepted the recommendations of a sub-committee headed by Art of Living guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar over the yatra period. The yatra will conclude on Raksha Bandhan falling on August 2,an official spokesman said.

On Jyestha Purnima falling on June 4,the Board will arrange a special puja at the holy cave shrine or at any other suitable location along the yatra route.

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However,to consider feasibility of advancing pilgrimage a few days prior to June 25,all possible efforts would be made in coordination with all agencies concerned,the spokesman said,adding that a specific review of the melting of snow and pace of snow-clearing work would be undertaken for the purpose in the first week of June this year.

Apart from this,the Board,keeping in view the death of 107 pilgrims during last years pilgrimage,made it mandatory for pilgrims to submit a certificate pertaining to their fitness from a registered medical practitioner. This pre-condition has been suggested by National Disaster Management Authority also,the spokesman added.