Over 1.82 lakh pilgrims visited the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in the past nine days, with another batch of 5,803 pilgrims departing for Kashmir on Monday.
Officials from the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) reported that 5,803 pilgrims left from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the Valley in two escorted convoys.
The first convoy, consisting of 88 vehicles and 1,862 pilgrims, departed at 3:10 a.m. for the North Kashmir Baltal base camp.
The second convoy, comprising 130 vehicles and 3,941 pilgrims, left at 4 a.m. for the South Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp.
The Meteorological Department has predicted partly cloudy weather on both Yatra routes, with possible light rain and thundershowers throughout the day. Pilgrims can take the traditional 48 km Pahalgam route, which takes four days to reach the cave shrine, or the shorter 14 km Baltal route, allowing same-day return after ‘darshan.’
Situated 3,888 meters above sea level, the cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite believed to symbolize Lord Shiva’s mythical powers.
Extensive security arrangements have been made along the 300 km Jammu-Srinagar highway, the twin Yatra routes, base camps, and the cave shrine to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage.
Over 124 ‘langars’ (community kitchens) and more than 7,000 ‘Sevadars’ (volunteers) are serving the pilgrims, with helicopter services available on both routes.