Over 2,66,000 pilgrims have embarked on the ongoing Amarnath Yatra in just the past 13 days, with a fresh group of 4,434 devotees setting out for Kashmir on Friday.
The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) reports a sustained influx of enthusiastic pilgrims, marking a vibrant spirit among this year’s visitors.
Since the Yatra commenced on 29 June, the cave shrine has welcomed more than 266,000 devotees, including over 10,000 who opted for helicopter services from both the southern and northern base camps.
The ice stalagmite within the holy cave, which represents the divine essence of Lord Shiva, actively attracts worshippers drawn to its waxing and waning forms that mirror the lunar phases.
Nestled at an altitude of 3,888 meters in the stunning Kashmir Himalayas, the cave is accessible via two main routes:
- The traditional 48-kilometer Pahalgam path, which typically takes pilgrims 4 to 5 days to complete, and
- The shorter 14-kilometer Baltal route, where a one-day journey allows for a swift pilgrimage experience
Meanwhile, on Friday morning, two escorted convoys departed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu, with the first convoy of 1,721 pilgrims departing at 3 AM for the Baltal base camp, followed shortly by a second convoy of 2,713 devotees heading to the Pahalgam base camp.
This year’s Amarnath Yatra is likely to last for 52 days, concluding on 29 August, coinciding with the festivals of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
With the steady stream of pilgrims, the Yatra continues to embody a rich tradition of faith and devotion in the heart of the Himalayas.
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