JK Bank sets up 110 branches, PNB 310
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Apr 15: The registration for 57-day long annual Amarnath Ji Yatra in South Kashmir Himalayas started on 556 bank branches across the country today with large number of devotees thronging in front of counters set up here for their enrolment.
There was huge rush of devotees in front of counters established by various banks in Jammu with people including men and women waiting in long queues from early in the morning to get themselves enrolled for this year’s pilgrimage.
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There was lot of enthusiasm and jubilation among the devotees standing up in queues in front of bank counters here. Displaying the papers for registration, they were chanting ‘Bum Bum Bole’. They were enthusiastic to get enrolled for the first day of darshan. Most of devotees were eager to have pilgrimage via longest 48 km but traditional, Chandanwari -Sheshnag track.
Some devotees who had performed darshan more than six to seven times want to pay obeisance at Himalayan cave this time again along with their family members. One pilgrim standing in front of a long queue at a PNB counter at Rehari said “Amarnath Ji is the one of the sacred pilgrimages in the country like 12 Jyotirlingas and Char Dham Yatra, so for attainment of spiritual pursuits devotees want to have darshan of Bole Baba every year,” he added.
The 57 day-long holy yatra will start on twin tracks of 12 km long but treacherous Baltal route in Central Kashmir district of Ganderbal and 48 kilometre long Pahalgam -Panchtarni track in South Kashmir district of Anantnag from July 3 and will culminate on August 28 -i.e on Sawan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.
Out of 556 bank branches, J&K Bank has opened 110 branches across the country for registration, while Punjab National Bank (PNB) has highest number of 310 branches all over country, State Bank of India has 99 branches and Yes Bank 37 branches and registration started simultaneously on all bank branches today.
Reiterating its longstanding association with the annual pilgrimage, J&K Bank MD &CEO Amitava Chatterjee said the registration of pilgrims for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra – 2026 commenced across the country, witnessing an overwhelming response from devotees on the very first day.
He said a heavy rush was witnessed across designated branches throughout the day, with almost 6000 yatris registering themselves, reflecting the deep faith and enthusiasm among pilgrims for undertaking the sacred journey. The registration process is being facilitated through 110 designated branches of the Bank across the country and is being carried out on a first-come, first-served basis, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, Amitava Chatterjee said.
Commenting on the occasion, he said, “J&K Bank has always remained committed to facilitating pilgrims undertaking the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. From enabling a seamless registration process to ensuring easy and reliable banking services during the pilgrimage, we strive to ensure convenience for thousands of yatris at every step of their sacred journey to the holy cave.”
“Dedicated help desks have been set up at branches to guide and assist yatris, while staff have been trained in advance to facilitate a smooth and hassle-free experience”, he added.
The MD &CEO of the Bank said as per the prescribed procedure, advance registration of intending yatris is being conducted through Aadhaar-based biometric eKYC authentication on a real-time basis, with system-generated Yatra permits issued via the Shrine Board’s official portal.
He said pilgrims are required to submit a valid Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC) issued by authorized medical institutions along with the prescribed fee to obtain the Yatra permit.
Punjab National Bank’s (PNB) Jammu Circle Head, DGM, Pankaj Kumar Verma while talking to reporters said out of 556 bank branches across the country, the PNB has opened 310 branches all over India for the facilitating of pilgrims’ registration.
He said there is heavy rush of devotees for registration which has been opened for both online and off line modes.
Maintaining that PNB acts as Nodal Bank for the yatra, he said six counters of PNB have been established in Jammu alone for the registration of pilgrims.
The PNB DGM said, “We are anticipating that the number of people will rise further. Accordingly, we are assessing how we can further simplify and ease the bank registration process,”.
The offline branches of both J&K and PNB witnessed long queues since 8 am as devotees lined up hours before start of the registration process.
“I want to be among the first to pay obeisance at the cave shrine. That is why I came early this morning to get myself registered. This will be my second yatra”, Jammu resident Yamani Sharma standing in a queue for registration said.
Sharma, who will be undertaking the yatra via the Pahalgam route with her parents, sister and brother, said there is lot of improvement in facilities and normalcy is prevailing in Kashmir, so more Hindus should come and perform pilgrimage.
Vinod Kumar, who had come from Pathankot in Punjab for registration at PNB Branch in Rehari Colony, said this is the 11th time he is undertaking the yatra.
“We have always paid the obeisance at holy cave in the first batch for last many years. This year too we have registered for the pilgrimage”, he said.
“Our message to all the devotees is come and pay obeisance and seek blessings. For us this yatra is in our annual calendar,” he said.
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