How is the Amarnath Yatra Proceeding So Far?

Srinagar, July 19 (NationPress) The annual Amarnath Yatra is progressing without any hitches, as more than 2.73 lakh pilgrims have successfully received their ‘darshan’ in the past 16 days. On Saturday, another group of 6,365 Yatris departed from Jammu heading towards the Valley.

According to officials, since the Yatra commenced on July 3, a total of over 2.73 lakh Yatris have paid their respects inside the sacred cave shrine.

“A new batch of 6,365 Yatris set off from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas on Canal Road Jammu for the Valley, organized in two escorted convoys.

“The first convoy, consisting of 92 vehicles, departed at 3:25 A.M., transporting 2,851 Yatris to the Baltal base camp, while the second convoy, comprising 119 vehicles, left at 3:53 A.M. with 3,514 pilgrims heading to the Pahalgam base camp,” the officials reported.

So far, 13 pilgrims have unfortunately lost their lives during the Yatra due to natural causes, including high-altitude sickness leading to cardiovascular failure.

The Bhumi Pujan for the ‘Chhari Mubarak’ (Lord Shiva’s Holy Mace) was conducted at Pahalgam on July 10. The Chhari Mubarak was escorted to Pahalgam by a group of seers, led by Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, the sole custodian, from its location at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar.

Upon arrival in Pahalgam, the Chhari Mubarak was taken to the Gauri Shankar temple, where the Bhumi Pujan took place.

The Chhari Mubarak has since returned to its original location at the Dashnami Akhara building. Its final journey towards the cave shrine will commence from the Dashnami Akhara temple in Srinagar on August 4, reaching the holy cave shrine on August 9, which will officially mark the end of the Yatra.

This year, extensive multi-tier security measures have been implemented for the Amarnath Yatra, especially following the tragic attack on April 22, where 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam.

An additional 180 companies of CAPFs have been deployed to enhance the existing forces of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.

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

Yatris can access the holy cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,888 metres in the Kashmir Himalayas, via the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route.

Those opting for the Pahalgam route will trek through Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni, covering a distance of 46 kms on foot, which typically takes about four days to reach the cave shrine. Conversely, those using the Baltal route only need to trek 14 km to visit the cave shrine and return to the base camp on the same day after their darshan.

This year, there are no helicopter services available to Yatris due to security concerns.

The cave shrine features an ice stalagmite structure that fluctuates with the lunar phases. Devotees believe that this ice stalagmite represents the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.