Jammu: All pilgrims on Amarnath Yatra will be offered 30% discount for their stay in hotels and lodges affiliated to All Jammu Hotels & Lodges Association (AJHLA) if booked in advance.
The discount was announced by AJHLA president Pawan Gupta as a ‘goodwill gesture’. “We have decided to offer a 30% rebate to Amarnath pilgrims, who make advance room reservations in hotels of Jammu.”
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Gupta said the initiative was aims at providing relief and assistance to the pilgrims embarking on their annual journey to the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine in the majestic Himalayas of south Kashmir.
The 62-day long pilgrimage will slated to commence on July 1 from the twin tracks-the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in the Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in the Ganderbal district. The first batch of pilgrims will leave for the yatra from Jammu on June 30.
Hoping for an impressive footfall of pilgrims for this year’s journey to the cave shrine, Gupta expressed optimism that this discount will provide a much-needed boost to the hotel and travel industry as well.
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Krishen Lal Gupta, an executive member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Jammu (CCIJ) viewed the extension of the Amarnath yatra to a period of 62 days as a favourable development.
Krishen, who runs the Krishna Palace Hotel and several other businesses in the Rainder Bazar area of Jammu city, said, “We believe that the extended duration of the Amarnath yatra will benefit the hotel and business industry. The two-month pilgrimage is a welcome step.” He, however, emphasised the importance of ensuring foolproof security and providing the best possible facilities for the pilgrims.
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Krishen, however, urged the government to take utmost care to safety and comfort of the pilgrims during the journey. “It is crucial to avoid any untoward incidents that could adversely affect both the pilgrims and the hotel and business industry in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
“We are fully prepared to honour the 30% discount announced by our association for advance bookings of pilgrims, Krishen said, adding that Jammu boasts over 100 hotels and lodges that offer a wide range of amenities to cater to the needs of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims.
Jammu mayor Rajinder Sharma highlighted that the tourism department has devised packages to enhance the pilgrim tourism experience by including visits to various temples and historical sites in Jammu city.
“To facilitate their visit to temples and historical places in Jammu, the tourism department along with the State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC), has crafted packages for the pilgrims. These initiatives aim to support the hotel, travel, transport, and trade sectors,” Sharma said.
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Meanwhile, a senior official said that more than 60,000 security personnel from the para-military forces will be deployed from Lakhanpur to the Cave Shrine to augment security arrangements for the pilgrims during the 62-day-long Shri Amarnath Yatra starting July 1.
Amid concerns for maintaining the sanctity of the Amarnath Yatra, certain food items like poori, samosa, and pizza have been banned from the yatri menu. This decision highlights the importance of preserving the sacred environment and promoting a healthier diet for pilgrims.
