Undeterred by recent violence, a fresh batch of 6,365 pilgrims departed for the Amarnath Yatra early Saturday morning, as the sacred pilgrimage continues under a tight security blanket. The latest group of devotees left from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar base camp in two escorted convoys, 2,851 headed for the Pahalgam base camp and 3,514 en route to Baltal, according to officials overseeing the yatra.
Authorities reported that over 2.5 lakh devotees have so far offered prayers at the Amarnath cave shrine since the yatra commenced on 3 July, underscoring the continuing faith and resilience of the pilgrims.
The pilgrimage resumed this year just months after terrorists gunned down 28 people, mostly tourists, in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam on 22 April—an attack that has cast a long shadow over the annual religious journey.
"More than 2.50 lakh Yatris have so far performed the Amarnath Yatra since it commenced on July 3," an official said.
Also read: Amarnath Yatra resumes after one-day suspension
With the latest departures, over 1.05 lakh pilgrims have left the Bhagwati Nagar base since Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the yatra on 2 July.
Extensive, multi-tier security arrangements have been put in place, with troops and paramilitary forces deployed along vulnerable stretches and base camps. Surveillance drones and night-vision equipment have also been activated.
Despite the volatile backdrop, the yatra has continued without major incident, affirming the administration's commitment to securing the 62-day-long pilgrimage.
This year’s numbers are expected to climb steadily in the coming weeks. Over 3.5 lakh pilgrims have already registered online, while special counters have been set up for offline registration, authorities confirmed.
In 2024, the Amarnath Yatra witnessed a record turnout with more than 5.10 lakh devotees offering prayers at the Himalayan cave shrine.
The Amarnath Yatra, which involves a challenging trek to an altitude of over 13,000 feet, remains one of the most revered pilgrimages in India’s religious calendar.
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