Amarnath Yatra fee sparks outcry over 'commercialisation of faith'

SRINAGAR — A wave of criticism has erupted across the country following the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s decision to impose a fee on pilgrims undertaking the annual Amarnath Yatra. The move, facilitated through the Amarnath Shrine Board, has triggered what many describe as the “monetisation of faith,” with devotees, activists, and civil society members expressing outrage over what they see as the commercialisation of a sacred Hindu pilgrimage.

Kashmiri Pandit activist and Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Forum, Satish Mahaldar, has strongly criticised the move, calling it an affront to religious freedom and spiritual dignity. “Is this the new normal in India — pay to pray?” he asked, while urging the government to reconsider the current approach.

In recent changes to the yatra’s structure, pilgrims are reportedly required to pay for accessing darshan at the holy Amarnath cave — a move being perceived as a shift from spiritual tradition to transactional management. Pilgrims on the ground voiced concern over the development, with one yatri sarcastically remarking, “Even bowing your head in peace seems to need government sponsorship now. What’s next — GST on mantras? QR codes for aarti thalis?”

Critics argue that while logistical and security arrangements are essential, the imposition of fees on a centuries-old pilgrimage unfairly burdens Hindu devotees. Mahaldar and others have raised comparisons to discriminatory tax systems from history, with some equating the model to a modern-day jizya, where worship comes at a cost.

“This is not spiritual management — it’s revenue generation disguised in religious clothing,” said Mahaldar, warning that such policies threaten the very soul of Indian spirituality.

In light of the controversy, several proposals have been floated to make the pilgrimage more accessible and respectful of religious sentiments, including free transportation from Jammu to base camps at Pahalgam and Baltal via government buses with GPS and safety protocols; construction of permanent Yatri Niwas at major camps, offering clean sanitation, heating, medical aid, and personal lockers; round-the-clock langar (community kitchen) services in partnership with NGOs, with a suggested 35% increase in food stalls.

The proposals include the distribution of waterproof tents and bedding such as sleeping bags or blankets free of charge to pilgrims and a symbolic registration fee of ₹1, similar to the Vaishno Devi model, to emphasise service over revenue.

Mahaldar said the goal is not to compromise security or structure, but to ensure faith is not reduced to a financial transaction. “Amarnath is not a tourist destination. It is a journey of the soul. Let us not turn temples of devotion into toll plazas of belief,” he said.

Devotees and faith leaders across India are now urging the Jammu and Kashmir Government and the Amarnath Shrine Board to preserve the sanctity of the pilgrimage and prevent it from becoming a commercial enterprise.

“Let faith breathe. Let bhakti be free,” Mahaldar added. “If these concerns are not addressed, we may lose not just our access to sacred spaces — but the very spirit of Indian devotion.”

https://kashmirpulse.com/breaking-news/amarnath-yatra-fee-sparks-outcry-over-commercialisation-of-faith/112958.html