NEW DELHI, INDIA, January 17, 2017 (Greater Kashmir): Governor N.N. Vohra, Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), presided over the 32nd Meeting of the Shrine Board here on Monday, an official spokesman said. “Regarding the duration and date of commencement of the Yatra 2017, keeping in view its foremost concern of safeguarding the safety and security of the pilgrims, the Board decided that a 40-day Yatra would commence on 29th June 2017, an auspicious day of Skanda Shasthi as per Hindu Calendar and conclude on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) on 7th Aug 2017. The Board directed that the CEO should arrange a special pooja at Chandanwari on the day of Jyesth Purnima, which falls on 9th June this year, to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva for the smooth and safe conduct of the pilgrimage,” the spokesman said.
“The Board deliberated at length in regard to the number of Yatris who would be allowed to register, date-wise and route-wise, for this year’s Yatra. Considering the carrying capacity of the existing tracks and other available infrastructure in the Yatra area, the Board decided that 7,500 Yatris, per day per each of the two routes, excluding Yatris who would travel by helicopters, would be allowed to register for the pilgrimage,” he added.