The annual Amarnath Yatra continues to progress smoothly, with over 2.73 lakh pilgrims having had darshan at the holy cave shrine in the last 16 days since the pilgrimage began on July 3, officials confirmed.
On Saturday, a fresh batch of 6,365 pilgrims departed from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys. The first convoy, comprising 92 vehicles, left at 3:25 a.m. with 2,851 pilgrims heading to the Baltal base camp, while the second convoy of 119 vehicles departed at 3:53 a.m., carrying 3,514 yatris to the Pahalgam base camp.
Rituals associated with the Yatra are also underway. On July 10, the Bhumi Pujan of the Chhari Mubarak-the sacred mace of Lord Shiva-was performed at the Gauri Shankar temple in Pahalgam. The ceremony was led by Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, the custodian of the mace. The Chhari Mubarak was taken from its seat at Dashnami Akhara in Srinagar to Pahalgam and later returned to its original place. It will begin its final journey to the cave shrine on August 4 and reach on August 9, marking the culmination of the Yatra on Shravan Purnima, which also coincides with Raksha Bandhan.
In the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow—where 26 civilians were killed—authorities have implemented extensive multi-layered security measures. An additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed to strengthen the existing presence of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police forces.
Pilgrims can undertake the 38-day Yatra via two routes: the traditional Pahalgam route, a 46 km trek taking four days via Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni; or the shorter Baltal route, involving a 14 km trek that allows a return the same day. However, helicopter services have not been made available this year due to security concerns.
The cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,888 metres, houses a naturally formed ice stalagmite, believed by devotees to represent Lord Shiva. The formation is known to wax and wane with the lunar cycle.
— IANS