Amarnath Yatra 2025: Over 4.14 lakh pilgrims complete darshan in 24 days
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Amarnath Yatra 2025 crossed a major milestone on Sunday, 26 July, with more than 4.14 lakh pilgrims completing darshan at the Amarnath cave shrine in the Kashmir Himalayas since the pilgrimage commenced on 3 July. The milestone was confirmed by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who also serves as Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB).
LG Sinha Marks the Milestone
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha posted on social media platform X, saying, 'By Lord Shiva's divine grace, the holy Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra has crossed a remarkable milestone and more than 4 Lakh pilgrims have already completed the sacred journey.' He added, 'Till now, 4.14 Lakh devotees have received darshan. I bow with reverence to Baba Amarnath for this blessing and extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this journey a truly divine experience for all.'
Movement on the Ground
On Sunday, a fresh batch of 4,474 pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu, heading towards the Baltal base camp in north Kashmir. Of the total pilgrims so far, around 1.20 lakh began their journey from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu, travelling to Kashmir in escorted convoys under extensive security arrangements.
The Pahalgam route in south Kashmir has been temporarily suspended for track maintenance. Pilgrims currently have access only to the Baltal route, which at 14 km is the shorter of the two paths and allows devotees to return to base camp on the same day after darshan.
The Two Routes and the Shrine
The Amarnath cave shrine, situated at an altitude of 3,880 metres above sea level, houses a naturally occurring ice stalagmite structure that devotees believe symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva. The formation waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon.
Pilgrims may choose between two routes: the traditional Nunwan (Pahalgam) route, which spans 47 km and takes approximately four days to complete, and the shorter Baltal route of 14 km. Notably, no helicopter services are available this year, as the area beyond both base camps has been declared a 'No Fly Zone' for security reasons.
Schedule and What Comes Next
The Amarnath Yatra 2025 is scheduled to conclude on 28 August, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals. With over a month remaining and the Pahalgam route set to reopen after maintenance, pilgrim numbers are expected to rise further before the yatra draws to a close.