The number of Umrah pilgrims from Kashmir during Ramadhan has dropped by 30 to 40 percent, with travel operators attributing the decline to a 30 percent increase in package costs and academic calendar constraints.
Kashmir, which typically sends 35,000–40,000 Umrah pilgrims annually, has seen a sharp decline in bookings this season. Rising global demand has further inflated costs, forcing many to postpone their plans, Greater Kashmir reported.
Hajj applications have also seen a steep decline, dropping from 35,000 in 2017 to just over 4,100 this year. Of these, only 3,622 pilgrims were confirmed, with over 700 applicants opting out later. The increase in Hajj package prices to ₹4.50 lakh is cited as the primary reason for the low turnout.
District-wise data reveals that Srinagar experienced a staggering 64% decrease, with applications falling from 2,607 in 2024 to just 937 in 2025. Budgam followed closely, witnessing a 63% decline as applications plummeted from 873 to 325, according to Ziraat Times.
Other districts in Kashmir, such as Anantnag and Pulwama, also reported substantial reductions, with drops of 51% and 60.5%, respectively. In the Jammu region, Udhampur faced a significant 64% decrease, while Rajouri reported a 42% decline.
Economic analysts, as per The Kashmiriyat, attribute this downturn to rising living costs, reduced incomes, and increasing household debts, forcing families to reconsider their spending priorities.
These concerns echo findings from the recent Mood of the Nation survey, which indicated a growing sense of financial insecurity among residents, with many prioritizing essential needs over discretionary spending, including religious pilgrimages.
“Analyzing the recent decline in applications, it’s clear that people simply don’t have the disposable income they once did. They are focusing more on immediate needs,” Arif Malik, a local had told The Kashmiriyat.