Over 4.76 lakh pilgrims have undertaken the Amarnath Yatra in the past 33 days, officials reported on Thursday.
The pilgrimage, which commenced on 29 June is progressing smoothly under stringent security measures and is likely to continue until 19 August, aligning with the festivals of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
On Wednesday alone, more than 5,000 devotees had their darshan at the shrine.
A fresh group of 1,295 yatris departed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu early Thursday morning in two coordinated convoys.
The first convoy, consisting of 15 vehicles and carrying 349 pilgrims, headed towards the North Kashmir Baltal base camp, while the second convoy, with 33 vehicles and 946 yatris, journeyed to the South Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp.
A significant event in the Yatra’s calendar is the movement of Lord Shiva’s Mace (Chhari Mubarak), scheduled for 9 August.
The sacred mace will depart from its current location at the Shri Amareshwar Dashnami Akhara temple in Srinagar and is likely to reach the holy cave shrine on 14 August, according to Swami Deependra Giri, the mace’s custodian.
This year’s Yatra benefits from comprehensive arrangements, including heightened security, community kitchens (langars), and well-organized transit and base camps.
The extensive deployment of security forces along the Jammu-Kashmir highway has contributed to a safe and trouble-free pilgrimage experience.
Local communities play a vital role in supporting the Yatris, offering services such as pony rides and portering, which are especially crucial for transporting less able pilgrims through the challenging mountainous terrain.
Amarnath Shrine: Pilgrims Confront Sacred Ice Stalagmite At 3,888 Meters
The Amarnath cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,888 meters in the Kashmir Himalayas, houses an ice stalagmite structure believed by devotees to embody the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
Pilgrims can approach the shrine via two routes: the traditional 48 km South Kashmir Pahalgam route, which takes 4-5 days, or the shorter 14 km North Kashmir Baltal route, which allows for a one-day visit.
For those preferring a quicker journey, helicopter services are available at both Baltal and Chandanwari, facilitating a more expedient pilgrimage experience.
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