Despite inclement weather in the holy cave shrine area, over 19,000 devotees successfully had ‘darshan’ on the 12th day of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
Additionally, a new batch of 4,885 pilgrims embarked on their journey to Kashmir from Jammu on Thursday.
On Wednesday, braving the rain and chanting “Bum Bum Bhole,” 19,631 Yatris offered prayers inside the sacred cave shrine, located at an elevation of 3,888 meters in the Kashmir Himalayas.
The pilgrims stationed themselves at both the South Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp and the North Kashmir Baltal base camp.
Local residents played an essential role in aiding the Yatris by providing ponies, porters, guides, and even carrying elderly pilgrims along the treacherous, rain-slicked mountain paths.
Authorities have deployed security personnel along both the 48 km Pahalgam route and the 14 km Baltal-Cave shrine axis to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.
150 Langars Operated By 7,000 Volunteers Serve Yatris 24/7
Approximately 150 ‘langars’, operated by over 7,000 volunteers, are working around the clock to provide fresh, nutritious food to the Yatris.
The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), led by J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, oversees the annual pilgrimage’s operations.
In the 12 days since the Yatra commenced, over 250,000 devotees have participated.
On Thursday, a fresh batch of 4,885 pilgrims departed for Kashmir.
The first convoy, consisting of 1,894 pilgrims in 86 vehicles, left at 3:05 AM, followed by the second convoy, with 2,991 Yatris in 105 vehicles, departing at 3:52 AM.
The first convoy is heading to the Baltal base camp, and the second is en route to the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp.
Pilgrims travel along the nearly 300 km Jammu-Srinagar national highway to reach the valley.
Due to extensive security arrangements, both convoys reach their destinations by early afternoon each day.
For safety reasons, no pilgrim movement is allowed from the transit camps to the base camps after 5 PM daily.
Since its commencement on 29 June, the Amarnath Yatra 2024 has proceeded smoothly and peacefully.
The 52-day pilgrimage will conclude on 29 August, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.
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