Departure of Hajj Pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir for Saudi Arabia Scheduled Today
🗺️ Getting Set for Hajj 2023 🕌
It's time for another spiritual journey as the first batch of devotees embarked on their Hajj pilgrimage this Sunday, leaving the Hajj House in Srinagar for the Srinagar International Airport. This year, more than 3,600 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are making the holy Muslim pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
The initial group of 178 faithful souls, consisting of 96 men and 82 women, made an early-morning appearance at the Hajj House in Bemina, Srinagar. They were asked to report between 5 a.m. and 5.30 a.m. for final preparations and departure to the airport.
To ensure a smooth journey, authorities arranged special buses to transport the pilgrims to the airport. However, friends or relatives will not be allowed to accompany them to the airport.
The flight carrying the pilgrims is scheduled to depart later in the day from Srinagar International Airport, as per the CEO of the J&K Hajj committee, Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi. Senior officers, including the Divisional Commissioner (Kashmir), V.K. Bidhuri, have inspected the Hajj House to ensure all arrangements are in place for the pilgrims.
All Hajj pilgrims from the union territory, including those from the Jammu division, are required to meet at the Hajj House in Srinagar before proceeding to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage.
As the families bid farewell to their departing loved ones, emotional scenes filled the Hajj House. A mix of joy and sorrow prevailed as family members expressed happiness for their pilgrims undertaking the spiritual journey, yet felt a sense of separation due to the duration of the two-way trip, averaging over a month.
Historically, the number of applications for the Hajj pilgrimage has exceeded the allotted seats, necessitating the drawing of lots to fill the seats. However, in recent years, this trend has shifted, making the journey more accessible for those with the financial means.
Keep in mind that, due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2021, the Hajj pilgrimage from Jammu and Kashmir was unfortunately canceled[1]. Since then, the number of pilgrims has fluctuated, with 6,000 in 2022, a sharp decline to 3,624 in 2025 due to rising costs[3][4], and over 7,000 pilgrims in 2024[3]. Post-pandemic, flights resumed in 2022, and the 2025 flights are currently scheduled between May 4th and 15th[3].
Stay connected for updates on the ongoing pilgrimage and future Hajj journeys!
Note: Some details might be subject to change due to updates, modifications, or unique situations in the real-world scenario.
📍 Enrichment Insights:- In 2021, the Hajj pilgrimage from Jammu and Kashmir was canceled due to pandemic-related travel bans.- In 2022, around 6,000 pilgrims from J&K and Ladakh embarked on the Hajj pilgrimage.- In 2025, the number of pilgrims sharply declined to 3,624 due to rising costs, which averaged around ₹420,000 per pilgrim.- Post-pandemic, flights for the Hajj pilgrimage from Srinagar resumed in 2022, and the 2025 flights are scheduled for May 4th-15th.
- Approximately 3,600 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are embracing the average lifestyle of travel this year, comprising men and women, as they embark on the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
- Leaving from the Hajj House in Srinagar, these pilgrims will journey to the Srinagar International Airport, where they will bid farewell to their families, experiencing a mix of joy and sorrow, as the journey lasts over a month.
- While the number of pilgrims has fluctuated in recent years, with a decline in 2025 due to rising costs, the journey has become more accessible in recent years for those with the financial means, reflecting a shift from the past when applications exceeded the allotted seats.
