How Did Nearly 48,000 Devotees Participate in Amarnath Yatra in Just Three Days?

Srinagar, July 6 (NationPress) Close to 48,000 devotees have undertaken the ongoing Amarnath Yatra over the past three days, all while being protected by stringent security measures. On Sunday, an additional group of 7,208 pilgrims departed from Jammu towards Kashmir.

Officials reported that over 21,000 Yatris visited the holy cave shrine on Saturday. They noted that another 7,208 Yatris left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the Valley via two escorted convoys on Sunday.

“The first convoy is transporting pilgrims to the North Kashmir Baltal base camp, while the second is heading to South Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp,” stated the officials.

According to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), which oversees the annual pilgrimage, in addition to those arriving at the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, several Yatris are directly registering at the Baltal and Nunwan base camps.

On Saturday, thirty-six Yatris experienced minor injuries when five vehicles in the Yatri convoy collided at Chandrakote in Jammu's Ramban district.

The authorities are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring comprehensive security for this year’s Amarnath Yatra, especially in light of the tragic attack on April 22, where 26 civilians were killed by terrorists in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam.

An additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed to strengthen the existing forces comprising the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.

All transit camps along the routes to the base camps and the entire journey from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas to the cave shrine are under the vigilant watch of security personnel.

This year, locals have shown unwavering support for the Amarnath Yatra, as they have in years past.

To demonstrate their solidarity after the Pahalgam terror attack, the locals warmly welcomed the first group of Yatris with garlands and placards as they crossed the Navyug Tunnel into the Valley at Qazigund.

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

Devotees reach the holy cave shrine, located 3,888 meters above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas, via either the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route.

For those taking the Pahalgam route, the journey includes stops at Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni, covering a total distance of 46 km on foot, which takes about four days. Meanwhile, those on the Baltal route trek 14 km to the cave shrine and return to the base camp on the same day.

Due to security concerns, helicopter services are not available for Yatris this year.

The cave shrine is home to an ice stalagmite structure that changes with the moon's phases, which devotees believe represents the divine powers of Lord Shiva.

The Amarnath Yatra is regarded as one of the most sacred pilgrimages. According to legend, Lord Shiva revealed the secrets of eternal life and immortality to Mata Parvati in this cave, during which two pigeons were accidentally present.

Traditionally, a pair of mountain pigeons is seen flying out of the cave shrine each year when the Yatra begins.