Jammu, July 31 : In Jammu and Kashmir, amidst stringent security measures, the 28th batch of over 1500 pilgrims commenced their journey to the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu. Early in the morning, the pilgrims set out for the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam in Kashmir. According to reports from Akashvani Jammu Correspondent, a total of 1550 pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in a convoy of 66 vehicles, ensuring utmost security.
Among the pilgrims, 482 chose the shortest route via Baltal, while 1068 opted for the traditional and longest Nunwan-Pahalgam route. The total number of pilgrims departing from the Jammu base camp for the Kashmir Valley since June 30 has now reached 1,41,994.
The Shri Amarnathji Yatra has witnessed an astounding number of pilgrims, with over 3.91 lakh devotees visiting the Holy Cave Shrine. This record-breaking figure reflects a significant increase compared to the previous year, indicating a surge in the number of devotees undertaking the holy pilgrimage. Notably, a total of 3,91,000 pilgrims have visited the Amarnath Cave Shrine since July 1.
The 62-day annual pilgrimage to the 3,888-meter-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district on July 1 and is scheduled to conclude on August 31 on Shravan Purnima with the Raksha Bandhan festival.
The Yatra is progressing smoothly, witnessing devotees from across the country flocking to the base camps to catch a glimpse of the naturally formed Ice-Shivlingam and offer their prayers.
