During the last nine days, more than 1.82 lakh pilgrims have made their pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath, despite the ongoing challenges posed by the weather.
As another group of 5,803 yatris departed for Kashmir on Monday, officials from the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) reported the departure of two escorted convoys from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu.
The first convoy, carrying 1,862 Yatris in 88 vehicles, set off for the North Kashmir Baltal base camp at 3:10 AM.
Shortly after, a second convoy departed at 4:00 AM, transporting 3,941 yatris in 130 vehicles to the South Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp.
MeT Department Forecasts Partially Cloudy Weather For Yatra Routes
According to the Meteorological (MeT) Department, partially cloudy weather is likely along both Yatra routes, with intermittent light rain and thundershowers anticipated throughout the day.
Pilgrims undertaking the Yatra have the option of traversing either the traditional 48 km Pahalgam route or the shorter 14 km Baltal route.
Those using the Pahalgam route typically take four days to reach the cave shrine, while yatris opting for the Baltal route return to the base camp the same day after receiving darshan.
At an elevation of 3,888 meters above sea level, the cave shrine hosts an ice stalagmite structure, believed to symbolize the mythical powers of Lord Shiva and undergo natural cycles mirroring the phases of the moon.
This year, authorities have implemented extensive security arrangements along the nearly 300 km long Jammu-Srinagar highway, as well as at the Yatra routes, base camps, and the cave shrine itself, ensuring a secure and incident-free pilgrimage experience for all participants.
To accommodate the needs of the pilgrims, more than 124 langars (community kitchens) have been established along both routes, including at transit camps and the cave shrine.
A dedicated team of over 7,000 sevadars (volunteers) actively serves the yatris during this year’s Yatra, reflecting the spirit of community and service integral to the pilgrimage.
Additionally, helicopter services are available to facilitate transportation for pilgrims on both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, providing further convenience amidst the challenging terrain.
The ongoing pilgrimage underscores the steadfast devotion of pilgrims, despite the inherent challenges posed by weather conditions, reaffirming the enduring significance of the Amarnath Yatra in the hearts of devotees nationwide.
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