More than 12,300 pilgrims had darshan at the sacred Amarnath shrine on Thursday, marking a successful start to this year’s Amarnath Yatra, officials said.
On Friday morning, another batch of 6,411 pilgrims departed from Jammu amid unprecedented security arrangements. According to officials, the pilgrims set out from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two heavily guarded convoys comprising 291 vehicles.
Of the latest batch, 2,789 pilgrims are en route to the Baltal base camp, while 3,622 are heading to the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam, officials added.
The enthusiasm among the devotees was palpable, as they chanted “Bum Bum Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev,” unfazed by recent threats. Many yatris said their determination to undertake the pilgrimage was rooted in faith and devotion to Lord Shiva, whose spiritual call they had come to heed.
This year’s Yatra is being held under a tightened security grid in the wake of the brutal April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where Pakistan-backed militants killed 26 civilians after targeting them based on their religious identity. To prevent any repeat of such incidents, the government has deployed an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), augmenting the existing presence of the Indian Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.
All transit camps and the complete pilgrimage route—from Jammu to the cave shrine—are under constant security surveillance, with multi-tier protection in place.
Demonstrating their support, local Kashmiris were among the first to welcome the Yatra. In a heartwarming gesture, residents greeted the first batch of pilgrims with garlands and placards at Qazigund, shortly after they emerged from the Navyug Tunnel into the Valley. The warm reception sent a strong message of solidarity and unity in the face of violence.
The 38-day-long pilgrimage, which began on July 3, will conclude on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. Devotees can undertake the journey via two routes—either the traditional 46-kilometre trek from Pahalgam or the shorter 14-kilometre Baltal route. The Pahalgam path takes four days to complete and involves stops at Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni, while the Baltal route allows pilgrims to return the same day.
The cave shrine, located 3,888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas, houses a naturally formed ice stalagmite believed to represent Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, it was inside this cave that Lord Shiva revealed the secret of immortality to Goddess Parvati.
(With agencies inputs)
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