25,000 register for Amarnath Yatra as J&K chief secretary reviews preparations

Amid heavy rush at registration counters in Jammu, over 25,000 pilgrims have so far enrolled for the annual yatra to the Amarnath cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,880 metres in the Himalayan ranges of south Kashmir.

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday reviewed arrangements for the yatra and set June 20 as the deadline for putting key facilities in place.

The registration for the 57-day pilgrimage to the cave shrine began on April 15, drawing enthusiastic devotees in large numbers to bank branches and online platforms. Officials said more than 25,000 pilgrims have registered over the past two days, including 19,402 registrations on the first day alone.