Rising Costs, Shrinking Savings: Why Hajj applications are falling in J&K

Srinagar, Aug 22: The once-overflowing list of Hajj aspirants from Jammu and Kashmir is now marked by gaps and growing concern.

With just 4450 applications received so far for Hajj 2026, the number of pilgrims seeking to embark on the sacred journey continues to decline sharply, a reflection, many say, of the broader economic distress facing people in Kashmir.

The application process, which began on July 7, was initially set to close on July 31 but has now been extended to August 7, amid hopes that more applicants might register before the final deadline.

Yet, with only two days remaining, officials fear that this year too, hundreds, if not thousands, of Hajj seats may go unutilised.

Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Executive Officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Hajj Committee, Shujaat Qureshi, said that the current number was far below the allotted quota.

“We have received about 4450 applications so far,” he said. “The total quota for J&K this year is around 7900, which includes 5900 seats based on population and an additional 2000 seats granted as a special measure by the Hajj Committee of India. That leaves a gap of nearly 3450 seats.”

This is not an isolated trend.

For Hajj 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir Hajj Committee was forced to surrender more than 4300 seats due to a similarly tepid response.

Last year, only 4200 aspirants submitted applications, and of them, just 3600 finally undertook the pilgrimage.

Just a few years ago, the demand for Hajj was so high that authorities had to conduct a draw of lots (Qurrah) to select pilgrims from a pool that far outnumbered the allotted quota.

However, today, the tables have turned.

“It is both surprising and disheartening,” said a senior official in the Hajj Committee. “There was a time when 15,000 to 20,000 applications would pour in each year. Now we are struggling to fill even 60 percent of the quota.”

Observers and stakeholders point to multiple, compounding reasons, chief among them being the skyrocketing cost of the Hajj.

What was once considered an affordable journey for the middle-class family, costing around Rs 2 to Rs 2.5 lakh, now demands an expense upwards of Rs 4 to Rs 5 lakh per pilgrim, depending on the package.

Muhammad Ashraf Malik, a Hajj aspirant who has been saving for the pilgrimage for years, said he is now reconsidering.

“People used to spend their lifetime savings on this journey. But now, even after saving for years, it’s not enough. Food prices, medicine, education, everything has gone up, and there is barely anything left to save,” he said.

Qureshi echoes this concern.

“Yes, the cost is a major factor. Over the past few years, Hajj subsidies have been withdrawn, and the value of the Saudi Riyal has appreciated significantly against the dollar, making the journey even more expensive,” he said.

Adding to the financial strain is the timing of Hajj, which in recent years has coincided with the peak summer months.

With temperatures in Makkah and Madinah soaring above 45 degrees Celsius, many elderly pilgrims, who form a significant chunk of the applicant base, are reportedly backing out due to health concerns.

“We are receiving feedback that many elderly people who had earlier performed Umrah found the heat unbearable and are now reluctant to go for Hajj,” Qureshi said.

Private Hajj and Umrah operators point to another major issue: the quality and location of accommodation and facilities provided to pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir.

“Unlike pilgrims from some other states, Kashmiris are often put up in accommodations located far from the Haram Sharif,” said one Srinagar-based Hajj operator, requesting anonymity. “Many Hajjis have also complained about basic amenities, food quality, and poor logistics. These issues, combined with the high cost, are driving people away.”

Qureshi acknowledged that there have been “a few complaints,” but maintained that overall feedback had been satisfactory.

“We do our best to coordinate with the Consulate in Jeddah and other authorities to ensure good arrangements. But certain logistical constraints are beyond our control,” he said.

Another trend emerging from the ground is the increasing number of Kashmiris opting for Umrah – a shorter, non-mandatory pilgrimage - instead of Hajj.

“Umrah is cheaper, available year-round, and more flexible. Many people are choosing it over Hajj, especially when the costs are comparable but the experience is more convenient,” the private operator said.

Economists believe that the dwindling number of Hajj aspirants is also a reflection of the larger economic distress in the region.

With the August 7 deadline approaching, the J&K Hajj Committee hopes for a late surge in applications, though no major jump is expected.