The annual Amarnath Yatra continues with strong participation, as over 1.28 lakh devotees have undertaken the pilgrimage over the past seven days. On Thursday, another batch of 7,307 pilgrims departed from Jammu for the Kashmir Valley to join the Yatra.
Officials confirmed that the batch left from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys. The first convoy, comprising 137 vehicles and carrying 3,081 pilgrims, departed at 3:15 a.m. for the Baltal base camp. The second convoy, consisting of 147 vehicles with 4,226 pilgrims on board, left at 3:58 a.m. for the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam.
According to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), which oversees the management of the Yatra, many pilgrims are also arriving directly at the Baltal and Nunwan base camps for on-the-spot registration, in addition to those coming via Jammu.
The Meteorological Department has forecast rain across Jammu and Kashmir over the next 12 hours, with isolated intense showers and thunderstorms expected, particularly in the Jammu region.
This year’s Yatra is being held under tight security, following the April 22 terror attack in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam. In response, security has been significantly enhanced. An additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed to support the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police. The entire pilgrimage route, including transit camps and roads from Jammu to the cave shrine, is under strict surveillance.
Local residents have once again shown their support and hospitality. On July 6, people from Srinagar travelled 30 km to Nuner village along the Baltal-Srinagar road to offer cold drinks and clean water to returning pilgrims. The gesture was warmly received by the Yatris.
The Yatra began on July 3 and is scheduled to conclude on August 9, coinciding with the festivals of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. The holy cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,888 metres in the Kashmir Himalayas, can be accessed through two main routes.
The traditional route from Pahalgam spans 46 kilometres and takes about four days to complete on foot, passing through Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni. The shorter Baltal route covers 14 kilometres and allows pilgrims to return the same day after darshan. Due to security concerns, helicopter services are not being offered to pilgrims this year.
Inside the sacred cave, an ice stalagmite naturally forms and is believed by devotees to represent Lord Shiva.
(With agencies inputs)
