Today marked the 19th day of the Amarnath Yatra, where over 13,000 pilgrims paid homage to the naturally formed Ice Shivlingam in a Himalayan cave located in Anantnag district of South Kashmir. The pilgrimage saw a steady influx of devotees from across the country, with 3,740 pilgrims departing early morning for the twin base camps of Nunwan-Pahalgam and Baltal-Sonamarg.
Security arrangements were stringent as pilgrims journeyed towards the holy site under the watchful eye of officials. By evening, 13,300 Yatris had completed darshan, including 8,358 males, 2,807 females, 117 Sadhus, one Sadhvi, and 1,805 security personnel and service providers. The darshan took place via the Baltal and Chandanwari tracks, and through special chopper services.
The annual 52-day pilgrimage, culminating on Shravan Purnima coinciding with the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan on August 19, continues to draw devotees despite partial cloud cover in the Yatra area today. Officials reported that pilgrims who visited the holy cave began their return journey to the base camps amidst favorable weather conditions.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju visited the Baltal base camp, reviewing the arrangements made for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. His visit underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring a safe and comfortable pilgrimage experience for all devotees.
The pilgrimage remains a significant spiritual event, attracting thousands each year to seek blessings at the sacred site nestled in the Himalayas.
