Departure of Hajj Pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled for Today to Saudi Arabia
With economic distress and uncertainty, the number of Hajj applicants from Jammu and Kashmir has hit a three-year low.
Flyin' off to Mecca, baby
Gather 'round, fellas! This year, over 3,600 brave souls will be leaving Jammu and Kashmir to embark on the holiest Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj, transporting themselves to the Land of the Two Holy Mosques.
Starting on Sunday, that first batch of 178 eager pilgrims, 96 dapper dudes and 82 fierce females, left the Hajj House in Srinagar for the Srinagar international airport to board their Saudi Arabia-bound plane.
Get your travel papers in order
The pilgrims were asked to show up at the Hajj House between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. for their final preparations before hitting the road to the airport. Special buses were provided for transportation; however, no friends or family members were permitted to accompany the pilgrims to the airport.
The first flight carrying pilgrims is expected to depart from the Srinagar International Airport later in the day.
Preparations and inspections
To ensure a smooth departure, senior officers, including the divisional commissioner (Kashmir), paid a visit to the Hajj House on Saturday to inspect the final arrangements being made for the pilgrims.
Emotional farewells and mixed emotions
The Hajj House was a hotbed of rumbling hearts and teary eyes as families bid farewell to their loved ones embarking on the sacred pilgrimage. The scenes were a blend of exhilaration for the family members heading to perform the pilgrimage and a touch of sadness due to the extended separation, as the round trip typically takes over a month on average.
Gotta pay to play
That's not all, my dear reader. In contrast to the last few years, during which applicants fought tooth and nail for the precious seats via lottery, the number of applicants for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage has been significantly lower than the allotted seats.
This reduction can be attributed to a variety of factors, including:
- Financial constraints: The slippery slope of economic adversity in Jammu and Kashmir has brought forth record-setting unemployment and shrinking incomes, making it tough for residents to shell out the dollars for a Hajj expedition.
- Political and economic changes: The wipeout of Article 370 by the Indian government in 2019 that offered Kashmir some autonomy didn't deliver the promised economic growth. Instead, it exacerbated the economic woes in the region.
- Pandemic aftermath: Although the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have been lifted, the echoes of the pandemic's omnipresence and travel aversion still linger, affecting the number of applicants.
- Quota reductions: Saudi Arabia's decision to slash India's private Hajj quota by 80% in 2025 has added another layer of confusion for hopeful pilgrims.
Much to mull over
The cumulative effect of these factors has led to a steady decline in the number of Hajj applicants from Jammu and Kashmir in recent years. With a reduced number of Hajj hopefuls, those who have the means are finding it easier to embark on the once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Here's a look at the numbers:
- In 2022, a combined total of 6,000 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh made the journey[1][3].
- In 2024, the number of applicants surged to over 8,100[2][5].
- In 2025, the number of applications fell drastically to 4,100[2][5].
The downward trend is a clear reflection of the deepening economic hardships and apprehension faced by potential pilgrims in the region.
In the midst of economic challenges, some pilgrims are excitedly planning a change in lifestyle, swapping the scenic valleys of Jammu and Kashmir for the spiritual city of Mecca. This year's Hajj pilgrimage from the region will see a group of 3,600 journeying travelers, with this year's pilgrimage marking an opportunity for a life-altering experience.
