The revered Amarnath Yatra has witnessed a massive turnout as more than two lakh devotees have visited the holy Amarnath cave shrine in the past ten days.
On Tuesday, an additional batch of 5,433 pilgrims departed for the Valley, according to officials from the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.
Since the commencement of the pilgrimage on 29 June, the Yatra has seen an impressive number of participants.
A fresh batch of 5,433 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu early Tuesday morning, divided into two escorted convoys.
Officials stated, “The first convoy, consisting of 1,971 pilgrims in 89 vehicles, departed at 3:13 AM for the Baltal base camp in north Kashmir.”
“The second convoy, with 3,462 pilgrims in 124 vehicles, left at 4:03 AM for the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp in south Kashmir,” tha officials added.
The Meteorological Department has predicted partially cloudy weather for both Yatra routes, with a chance of light rain during the day.
Pilgrims have two route options: the traditional 48-km Pahalgam path or the shorter 14-km Baltal route.
The Pahalgam route takes four days to complete, while the Baltal route allows pilgrims to return to the base camp the same day after visiting the cave shrine.
The Amarnath cave shrine, perched at an altitude of 3,888 meters, houses an ice stalagmite that waxes and wanes with the lunar cycle.
Devotees believe this natural formation symbolizes the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
This year, extensive security measures have been implemented along the 300-km Jammu-Srinagar highway, both Yatra routes, the base camps, and the cave shrine to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
Over 124 ‘langars’ (community kitchens) have set up along the routes, at transit camps, and near the cave shrine.
More than 7,000 ‘sevadars’ (volunteers) are assisting the pilgrims throughout the journey.
To accommodate the large number of devotees, the Railways have scheduled additional trains starting from 3 July.
Additionally, helicopter services are available for pilgrims on both routes, providing easier access to the shrine.
The Amarnath Yatra continues to be a significant event, drawing thousands of devotees each year who undertake the arduous journey to seek blessings at the holy shrine.
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