Amarnath Yatra resumes after suspension; darshan count tops 4.71 lakh
Synopsis
The Amarnath Yatra is back on track after a rare one-day security suspension tied to the anniversary of Article 370 abrogation — and with over 4.71 lakh pilgrims already counted, the 57-day pilgrimage is on course for a high-turnout year, even as helicopter services remain grounded across a declared No-fly zone.
Key Takeaways
The Amarnath Yatra resumed on 6 August after a one-day suspension on the 7th anniversary of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A .
The 28th batch of 1,801 pilgrims departed Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, Jammu at 2.45 am in 74 vehicles .
Cumulative darshan count has crossed 4.71 lakh since the Yatra began on 3 July .
No helicopter service is available this year; routes beyond Baltal and Pahalgam are declared No-fly zones .
The pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on 28 August , coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan .
The Amarnath Yatra resumed on Thursday, 6 August after a one-day suspension, with the cumulative number of pilgrims who have had darshan at the holy cave shrine surpassing 4.71 lakh since the pilgrimage began on 3 July. The resumption follows a security-driven pause observed on the 7th anniversary of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A.
Fresh Batch Departs for Baltal
The 28th batch of Yatris — comprising 1,801 pilgrims — departed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu at 2.45 am on Thursday, heading for the Baltal base camp in Kashmir under tight security cover. The convoy of 74 vehicles carried 1,347 men, 351 women, 89 sadhus, and 14 sadhvis. No convoy was dispatched from the Pahalgam base camp, as the Yatra currently operates exclusively via the Baltal route.
The Cave Shrine and Its Significance
The Amarnath cave shrine is situated 3,880 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas. It houses a naturally occurring ice stalagmite structure that is believed by devotees to symbolise the divine power of Lord Shiva, waxing and waning in accordance with the lunar cycle. The traditional route from Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp takes approximately four days to complete, while pilgrims using the shorter Baltal route in Ganderbal district are able to return to base camp the same day after darshan.
Security Measures and No-Fly Zone
Security remains tight along all routes to the shrine. Authorities have designated areas beyond the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps as 'No-fly zones' this year, meaning helicopter services — typically available to Yatris — are not operational during the current pilgrimage season. Officials have not indicated when, or whether, that restriction will be lifted before the Yatra concludes.
Pilgrimage Schedule and Conclusion
The 57-day annual pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on 28 August, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and the festival of Raksha Bandhan. With over 4.71 lakh darshans already recorded and several weeks still remaining, authorities will be closely managing crowd flow and security logistics through to the closing date.
Point of View
And its absence this season raises questions about accessibility that deserve more scrutiny than they have received. With over 4.71 lakh darshans logged and three weeks still to go, crowd management through the narrow Himalayan routes will be the real test of this year's administration.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Amarnath Yatra suspended for a day?
The Yatra was suspended for one day due to security reasons coinciding with the 7th anniversary of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. It resumed on Thursday, 6 August, with the 28th batch departing from Jammu.
How many pilgrims have had darshan at Amarnath this year?
More than 4.71 lakh Yatris have had darshan at the Amarnath cave shrine since the pilgrimage began on 3 July. The count was recorded as of 6 August 2025.
Why is there no helicopter service for the Amarnath Yatra this year?
Authorities have declared the routes beyond the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps as No-fly zones for security reasons, suspending all helicopter services to the shrine for the current pilgrimage season.
When does the Amarnath Yatra 2025 end?
The 57-day pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on 28 August, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and the Raksha Bandhan festival.
What are the two routes to the Amarnath cave shrine?
The traditional route from Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp takes about four days to reach the shrine. The shorter Baltal route in Ganderbal district allows pilgrims to complete darshan and return to base camp on the same day.
