Amarnath Yatra to remain temporarily suspended from August 23

Srinagar: Amid less pilgrim flow and track restoration work, the Amarnath Yatra will remain temporarily suspended until August 23, officials said.
They said the Amarnath Yatra would remain temporarily suspended from August 23 in view of reduced pilgrim flow and track restoration works on the twin routes of Pahalgam in south Kashmir and Nunwan in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Shrine Board authorities have informed us that due to the considerable reduction in the flow of pilgrims and the urgent repairs and maintenance of the Yatra tracks at vulnerable stretches being undertaken by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), movement of pilgrims on both tracks leading to the Holy Cave is not advisable.
“Hence, the Yatra shall remain temporarily suspended from both routes with effect from August 23, 2023”, they added.
This year the Yatra has seen overwhelming footfall, with more than 4.4 lakh pilgrims having taken darshan at the Holy Amarnathji Shrine so far since its commencement from the twin routes of Pahalgam in south Kashmir and Baltal in Ganderbal district on July 1.
The “Chadi Mubarak” silver mace shall proceed via the traditional Pahalgam route, marking the culmination of Yatra 2023 on August 31.
The annual pilgrimage of Amarnathji Yatra has not only provided livelihood opportunities to the locals but has also given local entrepreneurs a chance to promote their businesses, officials said.
A woman entrepreneur who started her own business of packaged dry fruits with her own brand runs a shop on the track, selling local dry fruit to the devotees.
She believes that with hard work, nothing is impossible. “My parents feel proud of me. They supported and helped me in starting this venture, and now I am effectively supplying products to stores and shops throughout the Kashmir valley.”
UNI