Kashmir Impulse Desk

Jammu, April 15 

Advance registration for the annual Amarnath Yatra began on Wednesday, drawing large crowds of devotees at bank branches and online portals across India.

Authorities said pilgrims can register offline at 554 designated branches of banks including Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India and Yes Bank, while online registration is available through the website of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.

Long queues were reported outside bank branches in Jammu as devotees sought to secure permits for the pilgrimage.

Officials said only individuals aged between 13 and 70 years are eligible to register.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had earlier announced that this year’s pilgrimage will commence on July 3 and conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.

The annual ritual will begin with the ‘Pratham Puja’ on June 29, marking the ceremonial start of the pilgrimage dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The Amarnath Yatra, one of Hinduism’s most significant pilgrimages, attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees each year to the cave shrine in the Himalayas.