Archive · 4 Oct 2025
Amarnath Shrine Donations Surge Post-COVID, RTI Reveals
Imagine a very special temple high in the mountains, where people go to visit an ice statue.
Because of a sickness, people couldn't go for a while.
When things got better, more people visited, and they gave more money to the temple.
The amount of money given went up a lot – about 100 times more than before!
The temple officials said that the money was given by the devotees to the temple after they removed the pandemic restrictions.
Even though more money was given, no one said how much special jewelry or other valuable things were given.
Cash donations at the Amarnath shrine increased significantly after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
Donations rose from Rs 9.23 lakh (2020-21) to over Rs 11.58 crore (2024-25).
The 2025 yatra was cut short due to rain-damaged tracks.
Pilgrim registration fees also saw a substantial increase.
Online donations decreased as cash offerings increased.
- Who
- Pilgrims and Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB)
- What
- A significant increase in cash donations and pilgrim registration fees at the Amarnath shrine.
- When
- Since the resumption of the annual pilgrimage after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in 2022. The data covers the period from 2020-2026.
- Where
- Amarnath cave shrine in the South Kashmir Himalayas.
- Why
- Due to the full-scale resumption of the pilgrimage after two years of COVID-19 restrictions, improved infrastructure, and a growing number of registered pilgrims.
- Shrine Location
- Amarnath cave, South Kashmir Himalayas
- Altitude
- 3,880 meters
- 2020-21 Cash Donations
- Rs 9.23 lakh
- 2024-25 Cash Donations
- Over Rs 11.58 crore
- 2025-26 Cash Donations
- Rs 9.75 crore
- 2022 Pilgrim Footfall
- Over 3 lakh
- 2025 Yatra Status
- Called off early due to rain damage