Srinagar, Jul 10: Undeterred by intermittent downpours in the valley, thousands of devotees continue their pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath, with the total number of yatris who have performed darshan so far crossing the 1.45 lakh mark.
According to official data, 17,022 pilgrims performed darshan at the cave shrine on Thursday, the eighth day of the Yatra on July 3. They visited via twin routes—Baltal in Ganderbal and Nunwan-Pahalgam in Anantnag.
Of the total, 12,471 were male devotees, 4,000 were female pilgrims and 182 were children. The batch also included 108 sadhus, 5 sadhvis and 3 transgender devotees. Additionally, 253 personnel from security forces availed darshan on the day.
With this, the cumulative figure of pilgrims who have paid obeisance at the holy cave till date stands at 1,45,716.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 7,307 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on Thursday morning amid tight security arrangements. The convoy, comprising 284 vehicles, was escorted in two separate groups—one for the Baltal axis and another for the Pahalgam route.
Officials said that the batch included 5,534 men, 1,586 women, 25 children, and 162 sadhus and sadhvis. Of these, 3,081 pilgrims took the 14-km Baltal route in 137 vehicles, while 4,226 pilgrims embarked on the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route in 147 vehicles.
With Thursday’s batch, the total number of pilgrims who have departed from the Jammu base camp since the Yatra was flagged off by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has touched 62,788 in the past nine days.
Authorities said elaborate security, medical and logistical arrangements have been put in place across both routes to ensure the smooth conduct of the Yatra. Civil administration, police and health teams remain deployed at base camps and along the trekking routes.
The revered ‘Chhari Mubarak’—the holy mace of Lord Shiva—reached Pahalgam on Thursday, marking the start of key traditional rituals associated with the Amarnath Yatra.
The sacred procession, led by Mahant Deependra Giri, began from the Dashnami Akhara in Srinagar and reached Chhari Vishram Sthal in Pahalgam.
As part of the day’s religious observances, Bhoomi Pujan, Navgrah Pujan, and the symbolic hoisting of the religious flag were performed.
Speaking on the occasion, Mahant Giri said that Ashad Purnima, also known as Guru Purnima, holds immense spiritual significance. “We began the morning with the ritual departure of the Chhari Mubarak from Srinagar and arrived at Pahalgam for the customary rites. A havan and communal meal for devotees will follow,” he said.
Over 4 lakh pilgrims have registered online for this year’s pilgrimage, which is scheduled to conclude on August 9.
Last year, more than 5.1 lakh pilgrims performed darshan during the 52-day-long Yatra—one of the highest footfalls in recent years. (KNO)
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