What’s Happening with the Amarnath Yatra? Over 1.28 Lakh Pilgrims Participate as Fresh Batch Heads for Kashmir

Srinagar, July 10 (NationPress) In the past week, more than 1.28 lakh pilgrims have undertaken the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, while a new group of 7,307 pilgrims departed for Kashmir from Jammu on Thursday.

This latest group set off from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys. The first convoy, comprising 137 vehicles and carrying 3,081 Yatris, departed at 3:15 a.m. for the Baltal base camp, followed by a second convoy of 147 vehicles with 4,226 Yatris at 3:58 a.m. heading for Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp,” officials reported.

According to officials from the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), which oversees the pilgrimage, many Yatris are arriving directly at Baltal and Nunwan for on-site registration to join the Yatra, in addition to those arriving at the Yatri Niwas in Jammu.

The Meteorological (MeT) office has predicted rain across J&K within the next 12 hours, with isolated heavy showers and thunderstorms likely, particularly in the Jammu division.

This year's Yatra has seen enhanced security measures, especially following the tragic attack on April 22, where 26 civilians were murdered by Pakistan-backed terrorists in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam.

To bolster security, an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed, supplementing the existing forces from the army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police. All transit camps along the route to the base camps and the path from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas to the cave shrine are under tight security.

This year, locals have shown remarkable support for the Amarnath Yatra, as they have in previous years. Residents from Srinagar city traveled 30 km to Nuner village on the Baltal-Srinagar road on July 6, offering cold drinks and pure water to returning Yatris. The hospitality from locals was met with heartfelt gratitude from the pilgrims.

The Yatra commenced on July 3 and is set to conclude after 38 days on August 9, coinciding with the festivals of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

Yatris can reach the sacred cave shrine located at an altitude of 3888 meters in the Kashmir Himalayas via the traditional Pahalgam route or the more direct Baltal route.

Those taking the Pahalgam route will trek through Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni to reach the shrine, covering a total distance of 46 km on foot, typically taking four days. In contrast, those using the Baltal route will cover 14 km to reach the shrine and return to the base camp on the same day.

Due to security concerns, no helicopter services are available for Yatris this year.

The cave shrine is home to an ice stalagmite formation that changes with the lunar cycle. Devotees believe this ice structure represents the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.