Srinagar, July 18: The ongoing Amarnath Yatra witnessed more than 20,000 devotees performing their pilgrimage on the 17th day, as an additional group of 6,225 Yatris departed from Jammu to the Valley on Tuesday. Since the Yatra commenced on July 1 this year, over 2.50 lakh pilgrims have already undertaken the sacred journey.
Officials reported that the departing group consisted of 2,511 individuals heading to the north Kashmir Baltal base camp, while 3,714 were en route to the Pahalgam base camp.
Tragically, on Monday, three pilgrims lost their lives, bringing the total number of pilgrim fatalities during the present Yatra to 30. While two of the deaths were due to natural causes, the cause of the third pilgrim’s demise is still under investigation.
The pilgrimage to the Himalayan cave shrine can be embarked upon from two routes: the traditional south Kashmir Pahalgam route, involving a 43-kilometer uphill trek from the Pahalgam base camp, and the north Kashmir Baltal route, entailing a 13-kilometer uphill trek. Pilgrims using the Pahalgam route typically take 3-4 days to reach the cave shrine, while those opting for the Baltal route return to the base camp on the same day after having ‘darshan’ inside the cave shrine, situated at an altitude of 3888 meters above sea level.
For the convenience of Yatris, helicopter services are available on both routes. The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure, revered as symbolizing the mythical powers of Lord Shiva, which wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon.
The 62-day long Amarnath Yatra, commencing on July 1 and concluding on August 31, coincides with the Shravan Purnima festival.
In a measure to safeguard pilgrims from high-altitude sickness, authorities have imposed a ban on all junk food at the free community kitchens, known as ‘langars,’ along both Yatra routes. The ban includes bottled drinks, halwai items, fried foods, and tobacco-based products.
