Over 3.77 lakh pilgrims have undertaken the Amarnath Yatra since it began on 3 July this year, with another group of 1,635 devotees departing from Jammu on Monday to continue their journey to the holy shrine.
According to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), the ‘Chhari Sthapana’ ritual was performed on Sunday at the Shri Amareshwar Temple, located within the Dashnami Akhara complex in Srinagar.
Officials stated that the next major ritual, ‘Chhari Pujan’, is set to be observed on 29 August, marking Nag Panchami.
The ceremonial journey of the Chhari Mubarak towards the sacred cave will commence on 4 August.
Officials stated, “A fresh batch of 1,635 pilgrims left Jammu in two escorted convoys today. First convoy of 17 vehicles carrying 374 Yatris left at 3.25 AM for the Baltal base camp, while the second convoy of 42 vehicles carrying 1,261 Yatris left at 4 AM for the Pahalgam base camp.”
The holy mace of Lord Shiva, the Chhari Mubarak, is kept at the Amareshwar Temple at Dashnami Akhara in Srinagar’s Budshah Chowk.
The Yatra’s schedule is closely aligned with the ceremonial journey of this symbolic mace.
On 4 August, the Chhari Mubarak will leave Srinagar for the cave shrine, concluding the pilgrimage on 9 August.
En route, it will stop for traditional worship at Pampore, Bijbehara, Mattan, and Pahalgam before reaching the final destination.
Security measures for this year’s pilgrimage have been significantly tightened. This follows the 22 April terrorist attack in Baisaran, Pahalgam. In the attack, 26 civilians were killed in a faith-based attack by terrorists backed by Pakistan.
To secure the pilgrimage route, 180 additional companies of the Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed. They are working alongside personnel from the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.
To secure the pilgrimage route, 180 additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed alongside personnel from the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.
The Army alone has assigned more than 8,000 special commandos for protection.
The 38-day Yatra, which started on 3 July, will conclude on 9 August, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
Pilgrims can reach the cave shrine, located at 3,888 metres in the Kashmir Himalayas, through two main routes. The traditional 46-kilometre path passes through Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni. The shorter but steeper 14-kilometre Baltal route is usually completed in a single day.
This year, helicopter services have been suspended due to security concerns.
Inside the cave shrine, devotees come to see the natural ice formation believed to represent Lord Shiva.
The ice stalagmite is said to grow and shrink in accordance with the phases of the moon, symbolising divine energy and presence.
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