74,000 Pilgrims Perform Amaranth Yatra In Four Days
In the past four days, over 74,000 pilgrims have visited the holy Amarnath cave shrine, with another group of 5,725 Yatris departing for Kashmir on Wednesday.
“Another batch of 5,725 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas today morning in two escorted convoys for the Valley. Of these, 2514 Yatris left in an escorted convoy of 118 vehicles for the north Kashmir Baltal base camp while 3,211 Yatris went in 120 vehicles escorted by the security forces for the south Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp”, officials reported.
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The Meteorological (MeT) department predicts generally cloudy weather on both Yatra routes, with possible light rain or thunderstorms in the morning.
Yatris can choose either the 48 km traditional Pahalgam cave shrine route, which takes four days, or the shorter 14 km Baltal route, which allows for a same-day return after ‘darshan’ inside the cave shrine.
Located 3,888 meters above sea level, the cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that waxes and wanes with the moon’s phases, believed by devotees to symbolize the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
Extensive security measures are in place along the nearly 300 km Jammu-Srinagar highway, both Yatra routes, the base camps, and the cave shrine to ensure a smooth and incident-free pilgrimage.
Over 124 ‘langars’ (community kitchens) have been established along both routes, at transit camps, and the cave shrine, with more than 7,000 ‘Sevadars’ (Volunteers) serving the Yatris this year.
To manage the rush, the Railways will add additional trains starting July 3. Helicopter services are also available on both routes.
