Is the Amarnath Yatra Proceeding Smoothly with Over 3.6 Lakh Devotees?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Amarnath Yatra 2025 has seen over 3.6 lakh devotees in 22 days.
- Strong security measures are in place for the safety of pilgrims.
- The Yatra began on July 3 and will end on August 9.
- Devotees can choose between the Pahalgam and Baltal routes.
- The Chhari Mubarak procession will take place on August 4.
Srinagar, July 26 (NationPress) The annual Amarnath Yatra 2025 is unfolding with peaceful and smooth proceedings since its inception on July 3, with over 3.6 lakh devotees having received 'Darshan' in the past 22 days, according to officials on Saturday.
Officials reported that the ongoing Amarnath Yatra is continuing without any incidents, as more than 3.6 lakh pilgrims have visited the holy cave shrine during this time.
A fresh group of 2,324 Yatris departed for the Valley in two secure convoys on Saturday from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas.
The first convoy, consisting of 34 vehicles and carrying 741 Yatris, departed at 3:25 a.m. for the Baltal base camp, while the second convoy with 58 vehicles and 1,583 Yatris left at 3:45 a.m. for the Pahalgam base camp, as per officials.
The 'Chhari Mubarak' (Lord Shiva's holy mace) was taken for the traditional Puja at the Sharika-Bhawani temple on the Hari Parvat hillock in Srinagar on Friday.
The Chhari Mubarak will be transported from its location at the Amareshwar Temple in the Dashnami Akhara building in Srinagar to the holy cave shrine on August 4 by its sole custodian, Mahant Swami Deependra Giri.
This procession will involve Sadhus and devotees performing traditional Puja at various locations including Pampore, Bijbehara, Mattan, and Pahalgam before reaching the cave shrine on August 9.
Authorities have implemented extensive multi-tier security measures for this year’s Amarnath Yatra, particularly in light of the tragic incident on April 22, where 26 civilians were targeted by Pakistan-backed terrorists in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam.
An additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed to enhance the existing presence of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.
Over 8,000 special Commandos from the Army have been assigned to ensure the safety of pilgrims this year.
The Yatra commenced on July 3 and will conclude after 38 days on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
Yatris approach the holy cave shrine, located at an elevation of 3,888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas, either via the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route.
Those taking the Pahalgam route pass through Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni, covering a distance of 46 km on foot, which typically takes four days for pilgrims to reach the cave shrine. Meanwhile, those using the shorter Baltal route trek 14 km to the cave shrine and return to the base camp on the same day after their darshan.
This year, no helicopter services are available for Yatris due to security concerns.
The cave shrine features an ice stalagmite formation that changes with the lunar phases, which devotees believe represents the mystical powers of Lord Shiva.