Pilgrims - Daily Headlines Today

Pilgrim Killed, Three Injured in Katra Road Mishap

HT Online Editor — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 16:39:09 +0530

SRINAGAR: A pilgrim was killed while three others were injured in a road mishap in Katra Reasi district on Friday morning.

An official told News Agency Kashmir Scroll that a vehicle carrying pilgrims was on its way to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine when a driver lost control over the wheels and the vehicle skidded off the road near Katra. In the mishap, four pilgrims were injured and were immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where one succumbed to his injuries while two others were undergoing treatment.

The officer said all are Delhi residents. Meanwhile, police took cognizance of this road mishap. (KS)

At least 3.70 Lakh Yatris Pay Obeisance At Amarnath Cave, Surpasses Previous Years Total Rally

HT Online Editor — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 19:10:58 +0530

A record number of 3.70 lakh yatris paid obeisance at the Amarnath Cave Shrine in the Kashmir Himalayas, so far surpassing the previous year's total tally, officials said on Friday.

SRINAGAR: With 9,150 yatries performing darshan at the sacred Holy Cave on Friday, the total number of yatris who had paid obeisance at the Shrine reaches 369,288, surpassing the previous total tally of 3.65 lakh, an official spokesman said.T

he 62-day-long Amarnath yatra, which commenced on July 1, has achieved a momentous milestone, surpassing the total number of pilgrims from the previous year on Friday. The Yatra will culminate on August 31, Raksha Bandhan day.

This year's Yatra has been distinguished by its seamless arrangements, unwavering services, and meticulous management, garnering widespread acclaim and nurturing a sense of harmony among people hailing from diverse backgrounds.

This surpasses last year's total of 365,721, signalling a significant increase in the number of devotees undertaking this holy pilgrimage.

Beyond its spiritual significance, the Yatra has also witnessed the arrival of distinguished personalities from various walks of life, including renowned badminton player Saina Nehwal and Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan.
This diverse gathering serves as a testament to the universal appeal of the Amarnath Yatra, attracting individuals from all corners of the globe, united in their reverence for this sacred pilgrimage.

The Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2023 has also witnessed a significant increase in the number of foreign pilgrims visiting the holy shrine.

The pilgrimage's allure extends beyond national boundaries, drawing people from all over the world to partake in this spiritually enriching experience.
The pilgrims have wholeheartedly lauded the administration's tireless efforts in ensuring a smooth and hassle-free journey.

The resounding success of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2023 can be primarily attributed to the impeccable arrangements orchestrated by the administration.

Every facet of the Yatra, from the provision of langar services to healthcare facilities, sanitation, transportation, and security measures, has been meticulously managed to ensure unparalleled convenience for the pilgrims.

The seamless execution of these arrangements has led to a surge in the influx of devotees who are eager to embark on the spiritually enriching journey, and they have expressed their deep appreciation for the well-coordinated efforts.
The efficient organisation of the Yatra has provided them with a sense of comfort and security, fostering an environment of gratitude and admiration. Additionally, the Yatra coincided with the commemoration of Kargil Diwas at all Yatra Base Camps, where the triumph of the Kargil War was honoured.

The event saw active participation from various security departments, including the Army, CRPF, Police, NDRF, SDRF, Civil Administration, and Yatries, further strengthening the bond between the armed forces and the civilian population.
The Yatra served as an opportunity to pay tribute to the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the defense of the nation.

The Yatra remains a cherished experience for all pilgrims and continues to inspire a sense of reverence and devotion in the hearts of those who undertake this sacred expedition. (UNI)

Three Amarnath Pilgrims Injured In Road Accident

HT Online Editor — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 11:31:29 +0530

SRINAGAR: Three Amarnath Yatra pilgrim were injured in a road mishap at the Gangoo area of Ramsoo in Jammu division on Friday morning.

A police official told news agency Kashmir Scroll that a yatra vehicle bearing registration number JK02BU-4095 onboard three pilgrims met with a road accident at Paloura.

The officer said in the mishap, all three pilgrims were critically injured and were immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where they were referred to GMC Jammu in a critical condition for advanced treatment.

Meanwhile, a police officer identified all the injured Yatries as Adarsh Kumar (58) son of Hajari Lal Sharma of Rehari colony Jammu his wife Smt. Manju Sharma (55) and Ankush Sharma (41) son of Sukhchain Sharma of 532 Roop Nagar Jammu.

He said a case in this regard has been registered and further investigation has set into motion. (KS)

A Record Over 3L Yatris Paid Obeisance At Amarnath Cave In 21 Days

HT Online Editor — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 14:45:40 +0530

SRINAGAR: A record over 3 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave Shrine of Amarnath during the past 21 days, officials said on Friday.

The 62-day-long Amarnath Yatra commenced on July 1 and with the addition of 13,797 yatris who performed darshan on Friday a total of 3,07,354 pilgrims paid obeisance at the Cave so far.

Due to the improvement in infrastructure & allied services by government, Shri Amarnathji Yatra registered over 3 lakh record breaking number of pilgrims who visited Holy Cave just within twenty one days which is comparatively much higher than the previous year number at the same time, he said

The glaring figures are testimony to the fact that the government has developed physical infrastructure of electricity, health, roads, sanitation and treks besides ensured transportation services from road transport, helipad service and Pony services.

Almost thirty government departments have been looped in to ensure seamless facilities to make yatries feel at home.

The enhanced facilities from accommodation, food, water, health care, Pony service generated positive response from devotees who undertook yatra and encouraged others to embark on Amarnath pilgrimage, this year.

To make Amarnath pilgrimage a memorable life time experience for devotees, the potential of available resources were capitalized to the brim which ensured stress-free and tireless yatra.

This year the government made twin axes- Pahalgam and Baltal to glow with lights from base camps to Holy Cave which helped to carry-on yatra during evening hours.

The construction of two State-of-Art 100-bedded hospitals for the treatment of yatries and all the associated people is another epitome of high level seriousness shown by the government for boasting allied infrastructure. Besides other existing health infrastructure, every camp is manned by the expert health teams who on a daily basis examine hundreds of yatries providing them medicine and advice.

Since the influx of yatries is swelling with every passing day, the government made sure that transportation facilities be provided to yatries from Jammu to base camps in Kashmir.

Besides, the helipad service is also available to the yatries who are willing to take this opportunity & facility.

To keep strict vigil on the nitty gritty of yatra for smooth and peaceful conduct, the government established Integrated Command & Control Centre which is integrated with RFID.

This data based science helps in effective crowd control management, traceability, avoidance of traffic jams and management besides coordination among all stakeholders on a real time basis.

As this yatra surpassed three lakh mark in a short span of time, the government takes pride in serving yatries with every available resource putting them to optimum utilization.

Yatries who paid obeisance at Holy Cave were overwhelmed by the organized facilities and management of the yatra. Every single soul who got the opportunity to pay obeisance at Holy Cave expressed gratitude to the administration, security agencies, service providers and local population who embraced them with open arms.

The local people serve yatries Kashmiri Kehwa and warm water to help them to cope up with cold temperatures.

Shri Amarnathji Yatra has become a centre of attraction for citizens of the nation and also to foreign citizens this year.

Two California, USA citizens, a Ukrainian woman, a group of 35 Nepali citizens and a group of 30 citizens from Malaysia are among the pilgrims who paid obeisance at Holy Cave of Shri Amarnathji.

These foreign religious tourists acknowledged the organized arrangements and facilities created by the government which made them happy to feel the spiritual essence of pilgrims. (UNI)

Haj Committee of India Treating Us Like Cattle, Allege Haj Pilgrims In Madina

HT Online Editor — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 16:27:00 +0530

SRINAGAR: Kashmiri Haj pilgrims who have proceeded through the State Haj Committees are having a tough time in the holy city of Madina. They have been accusing Haj Committee of India of cheat and fraud claiming that they have been huddled in those dinghy hotels rejected by Saudi Government.

Some of the pilgrims informed the news agency Kashmir News Trust that Haj Committee of India has provided them worst kind of accommodation in Madina. They said over 600 pilgrims have been huddled in a building, lacking lavatory facilities.

In most buildings, pilgrims are seen queuing up before toilets. Worse, the toilet doors don’t close properly and taps run dry most of the time. Women pilgrims are having a miserable time on account of this situation. Facilities in the kitchen are no better. Many kitchens have no fridge. Five to six persons are accommodated in a room with the result there is no privacy for women. Insufficient air conditioners are only adding to the problems. Irate pilgrims are uploading video clips on social media to vent their grievances.

One of the pilgrims sent a video to this news agency about a filthy bathroom. Another pilgrim in an audio message alleged that the Coordinator Haj Committee of India Riyaz Beigh is not taking the grievances of pilgrims seriously. He said pilgrims have decided to take up the matter with the External Affairs Minister of India.

Pilgrims are furious that the facilities promised to them by the Haj Committee in India are not to be found in Madina. “Government of India spends crores for the facilities of pilgrims but Haj Committee of India team particularly the Building Selection Team are indulging in corrupt practices adding to the hardships of pilgrims,” they said.

Notably, the Ministry of Minority Affairs is the nodal ministry to conduct Haj pilgrimage in India. Haj Committee of India is a statutory body under the Ministry of Minority Affairs. All aspects of the arrangements for the Haj Committee of India pilgrims in Saudi Arabia are coordinated by the Consulate General of India. (KNT)

Ensure All Facilities For Smooth Facilitation of Hajj Pilgrims Upon Arrival At Airport: Div Com

HT Online Editor — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 18:25:46 +0530

SRINAGAR: With the first batch of pilgrims scheduled to return from Saudi Arabia on July 18th, after performing Hajj, the Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri today convened a high level meeting to review the arrangements being made for providing required facilities to Hajjis.

Director Airport, SSP Traffic, ADC Sgr, CEO Hajj Committee, Jt. Commissioner SMC, SE Customs, representatives of CISF and CRPF, Hajj Officer, besides representatives of Jal Shakti, KPDCL, Fire and Emergency, Security, Homeguards, SRTC etc.

Deputy Commissioners of all districts of Kashmir, Jammu and Kargil attended the meeting through video conferencing.

At the outset, the Div Com directed the concerned officers to prepare facilitation of rousing welcome to the J&K bound Hajis (Hajj Pilgrims) upon their return from Saudi Arabia after the culmination of annual pilgrimage, 2023.

The meeting was informed that 12000 Pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh performed Hajj this year. Return Hajj flights from Saudi Arabia to Srinagar will operate from July 18th to August 02, 2023.

A total of 38 flights shall fly Hajj pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to here, with two flights to operate on the first three days and afterwards three flights will operate till the return of all pilgrims.

The meeting discussed threadbare various issues relating to arrival of Hajj Flights, reception, arrival timings, airlifting of luggage and Aab-e-Zam Zam, deployment of Home Guards volunteers, parking facilities, vehicle passes to attendants and transport arrangements for pilgrims.

The Div Com directed CEO Hajj Committee to ensure color coded passes for attendants of pilgrims entering the airport. He also directed the concerned Officers for setting up medical facilities, deployment of fire tenders with crew, regulation of traffic at airport, besides un-interrupted drinking water and power supply at Hajj House and proper sanitation in and around Hajj House etc.

It was given out that only vehicles with passes shall be allowed to enter the Airport premises to receive pilgrims. Besides, Home-guards will be deployed at the Airport to facilitate Hajj pilgrims.

The Div Com directed the S. E Customs to ensure deployment of enough manpower at the airport for mandatory screening.

He further directed the officials to ensure adequate arrangements for Hajj Pilgrims and facilitate their hassle-free arrival besides subsequent smooth journey to their respective destinations.

The Div Com directed J&KRTC authorities to provide an adequate number of buses for transportation of the pilgrims.(GNS)

Shrine Board Opens Online Helicopter Booking For Amarnath Pilgrims

HT Online Editor — Sat, 17 Jun 2023 21:33:55 +0530

SRINAGAR: Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has opened online helicopter booking for the pilgrims of Shri Amarnath Yatra starting from July 1.

The 62-day long pilgrimage is starting from July 1 and ending on August 30 (Rakshabandhan).

According to official sources, the online booking for helicopters has started for the service to be available from Srinagar, Baltal and Pahalgam routes.

Sources however, said that the fare for this year’s yatra has also not been hiked.

As of now, more than 2.5 lakh have registered online for the yatra, sources said adding that around five lakh devotees are expected to visit this year to the cave Shrine.

Sources further added that the booking for helicopter tickets will be done through the official website of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).

The Global Vectra Helicorp Limited and Arrow Aircraft Private Limited are the service operators for the Baltal route while Heritage Aviation Pvt Ltd will be operator for Pahalgam route.

The services of M S Pawan Hans Limited operators will operate from Srinagar to the holy cave, official sources added.

Preparations to welcome the pilgrims are in full swing and instructions have also been passed to complete all the arrangements by the respective district administrations from the gateway Lakhanpur to Kashmir between by June 20. (UNI)

Jammu-Based Hajj Pilgrims Asked To Reach Haj House Srinagar One Day Before Departure

HT Online Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 18:42:21 +0530

SRINAGAR: All the selected Hajj pilgrims-2023 of Jammu Division who have opted Srinagar as Embarkation Point for their departure to KSA are being informed to reach Haj House Srinagar only one day prior to their departure.

Further, the pilgrims of Kashmir Division who visit Haj House for collection of their documents / any enquiry etc are requested to visit Haj House after 2.00 pm, as due to ongoing flight operation they shall not be allowed to enter Haj House.(GNS)

First Flight Of Hajj Pilgrims From J&K Leaves For Jeddah On Wednesday

HT Online Editor — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 00:29:49 +0530

SRINAGAR: The first flight of pilgrims for the Hajj-2023 from Jammu and Kashmir would leave for Jeddah from June 7, official said on Tuesday.

The official said that two flights would leave every day for Jeddah from Srinagar International Airport and each would carry 315 pilgrims in separate schedules. The return of the pilgrims would commence from July 17.

This year around 12,000 pilgrims are going for Hajj-2023 from J&K. Unlike last year, no amount would be provided to the pilgrims at Hajj House. (GNS)

Hajj Pilgrims To Collect Passports, Other Material From Respective DC Offices In Kashmir

HT Online Editor — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 19:33:57 +0530

SRINAGAR: The Hajj Committee of Jammu and Kashmir has notified for the information of selected Hajj pilgrims to collect passports and other material from their respective district offices.

“All the Selected Pilgrims of Hajj 2023 who belong to Kashmir Division except Srinagar are hereby informed that they can collect their Passports and other material from their respective Deputy Commissioners’ office from 03/06/2023 during working hours on production of State Haj Dues Payment Slip (JK Bank Slip) and Passport receipt”, reads a notification as per GNS.

“Further, the Pilgrims of District Srinagar shall collect their Passports and other material from Haj House Bemina Srinagar from 03/06/2023 to 05/06/2023 during working hours on production of the above-mentioned documents”, reads the notification further. (GNS)

Div Com Visits Hajj House Bemina; Takes Stock of Facilities For Pilgrims

HT Online Editor — Tue, 30 May 2023 21:06:38 +0530

SRINAGAR: The Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on Tuesday visited Hajj House Bemina to take first hand appraisal of arrangements and facilities made for the convenience of pilgrims.

On the occasion, Div Com was briefed by Chairman J&K Haj Committee, Abdul Salam about the arrangements made by the Administration to ensure proper and good quality facilities for Hajj pilgrims.

During the visit, Div Com took the round of all the rooms and halls of Hajj House to inspect the sanitation, cleanliness besides boarding and lodging facilities.

He directed the Chairman J&K Haj Committee to ensure good quality of food and other services to pilgrims besides instructing the concerned to regularly change bed sheets.

The Div Com also held a brief meeting with the officers and officials of the Hajj House and issued a slew of directions for maintaining cleanliness within the premises, ensuring functioning of drinking water points, and electric connectivity besides decoration of Hajj House.

He stressed on close coordination and synergy with other departments for smooth and hassle free arrangements to pilgrims of Hajj-2023. (GNS)

Div Com Kashmir Reviews Arrangements for Departure of Hajj Pilgrims

HT Online Editor — Thu, 25 May 2023 19:21:23 +0530

SRINAGAR: The Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri today convened a meeting of officers to review the arrangements for the departure of Hajj Pilgrims on the Holy Journey.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners and SSPs of J&K besides officers of District Administration Leh & Kargil, Chairman J&K Haj Committee, HoDs of various departments including PHE, KPDCL, Health, Sanitation, SRTC, RTO and Hospitality & Protocol.

Addressing the meeting, Div Com stated that after the success of G20 Summit, smooth and flawless arrangements shall also be made for the departure of Hajj Pilgrims.

He issued a slew of directions to concerned officers for ensuring all the required arrangements to facilitate pilgrims.

He directed for making adequate facilities of drinking water, uninterrupted power supply at Haj House Bemina besides conducting regular sanitation and cleanliness drive there.

Div Com directed SRTC to provide buses for transportation of pilgrims from Haj House to Airport.

The meeting was informed that the departure schedule of flights will be published within two days. However, all pilgrims were asked to report to Haj House four hours earlier before departure time.

Besides, the meeting was informed that an adequate quantity of foreign exchange has been ensured in all districts besides more counters will be set up at Haj House.

Div Com also gave directions for hassle-free and smooth clearance of pilgrims at immigration service counter at Airport besides distribution of boarding passes at the earliest.

The traffic police was asked to identify parking space for vehicles of relatives accompanying pilgrims near Hajj House.

Pilgrims of Jammu Division, U.T of Ladakh and far off areas of Kashmir Valley who happen to stay at Haj House shall be provided boarding/lodging facility at Hajj House, Bemina.(GNS)