sThe ongoing Amarnath Yatra witness significant surge in pilgrims, with over 4.25 lakh devotees having already perform the sacred journey in just 26 days. This number surpasses last year’s total of 3.50 lakh pilgrims for the entire period.
On Thursday, another batch of 3,089 enthusiastic devotees left Jammu for Kashmir, further swelling the numbers. The pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys, with the first convoy heading to the North Kashmir Baltal base camp and the second to the South Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp.
Also Read: Parliamentary Proceedings To Continue Amidst Government-Opposition Face-Off
The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), headed by J&K Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, is managing the affairs of the annual Yatra. The cave shrine, situated at an altitude of 3,888 meters, houses an ice stalagmite structure that symbolizes the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
Pilgrims approach the shrine via the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route, which takes 4-5 days, or the 14-km Baltal route, complete in a day. This year’s Yatra will conclude on August 19, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals, after a 52-day period.
