Another batch of 6,388 pilgrims departed from Jammu on Tuesday for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, as the total number of devotees who have had ‘darshan’ at the holy cave shrine crossed 2.20 lakh in just 12 days since the pilgrimage began.
“More than 2.20 lakh yatris have so far performed the Amarnath Yatra since it commenced on July 3,” an official said.
On Tuesday morning, a fresh group of pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in two escorted convoys bound for the Kashmir Valley. The first convoy, comprising 103 vehicles and carrying 2,501 pilgrims, departed at 3:26 a.m. for the Baltal base camp. The second convoy, with 145 vehicles and 3,887 pilgrims, left at 4:15 a.m. for the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp.
The India Meteorological Department has predicted widespread light to moderate rainfall across Jammu & Kashmir over the next 24 hours. Authorities confirmed that the movement of pilgrims from the Baltal and Nunwan base camps toward the holy cave would depend on prevailing weather conditions.
On July 10, the Bhumi Pujan of the sacred Chhari Mubarak (Lord Shiva’s holy mace) was performed at Pahalgam. The Chhari Mubarak was brought to Pahalgam from its seat at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar by a group of seers led by its sole custodian, Mahant Swami Deependra Giri. The ceremonial mace was then taken to the Gauri Shankar Temple, where the rituals were conducted. The Chhari Mubarak will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9, marking the official conclusion of the Yatra.
In light of heightened security concerns, particularly after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, authorities have implemented a robust multi-tier security system for this year’s pilgrimage.
An additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed to bolster the existing security framework, which includes the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police. The Army has launched ‘Operation SHIVA 2025’, deploying over 8,500 troops equipped with advanced surveillance and combat technology.
All transit camps along the route to the base camps and the entire stretch from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas to the cave shrine have been placed under heavy security cover.
This year, the Amarnath Yatra began on July 3 and will conclude on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan, spanning a total of 38 days.
(With inputs from IANS)