Amarnath Yatra: Over 1.45 Lakh Pilgrims Perform Darshan In First Eight Days

Over 1.45 lakh devotees have performed the Amarnath Yatra in the first eight days since it began on July 3.

On Friday, authorities flagged off a fresh batch of 6,482 pilgrims from Jammu towards Kashmir

Officials confirmed that 107 vehicles carrying 2,353 Yatris departed for the Baltal base camp at 3:20 AM, while 161 vehicles with 4,129 Yatris left at 4:04 AM for the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp.

Both convoys left from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas under a heavy security escort.

Chhari Mubarak rituals begin at Pahalgam

On Thursday, Sadhus led by Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, the sole custodian of the Chhari Mubarak (Lord Shiva’s Holy Mace), performed the Bhumi Pujan at the Gauri Shankar temple in Pahalgam.

The group carried the Chhari Mubarak from its seat at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar to Pahalgam.

After the Bhumi Pujan, they visited the Martand Sun Temple, performed a puja, and took a holy dip in the spring at the temple.

The Chhari Mubarak will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9, marking the official end of the Yatra.

While thousands of pilgrims register at the Yatri Niwas in Jammu, a significant number are directly reporting at the Baltal and Nunwan base camps for on-the-spot registration to join the Yatra.

Tight security in the wake of April terror attack

Authorities have deployed a multi-layered security system to safeguard the Yatra, especially after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 civilians based on their faith.

To boost security, authorities deployed an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), joining the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Security forces have secured all transit camps and the entire route from Jammu to the cave shrine.

Amarnath Yatra duration and routes

This year, the 38-day Amarnath Yatra began on July 3 and will conclude on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

Pilgrims reach the sacred cave shrine, located 3,888 meters above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas, via two routes: the traditional 46-km Pahalgam route or the shorter 14-km Baltal route.

The Pahalgam route takes four days on foot, passing through Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni, while pilgrims using the Baltal route can complete the Yatra in a single day.

For security reasons, no helicopter services are being provided this year.

The cave shrine houses a naturally formed ice stalagmite that devotees believe symbolises Lord Shiva’s mythical powers.

According to legend, Lord Shiva narrated the secrets of immortality and eternal life to Mata Parvati inside this cave.

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