Jammu, Jul 26: A fresh group of 2,324 pilgrims began their journey from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu early Saturday to pay respects at the Amarnath cave shrine located in the South Kashmir Himalayas. The sacred cave, perched at an altitude of 3,880 meters, continues to draw thousands of devotees despite a recent decline in daily numbers.
This ongoing annual pilgrimage has seen an impressive turnout, with over 3.60 lakh pilgrims having already paid their respects at the revered cave since the yatra commenced on July 3. Despite this steady stream of worshippers, the recent melting of the naturally formed ice Shivlingam has led to a visible dip in daily footfall.
Saturday’s departure saw the 24th batch comprising 2,324 pilgrims, among them 377 women and 51 sadhus and sadhvis, setting off under security cover between 3:25 am and 3:45 am. The devotees travelled in 92 vehicles, making their way to the twin base camps in the Kashmir valley.
The group split along two traditional routes. The first convoy, made up of 741 pilgrims in 34 vehicles, journeyed to Baltal in Ganderbal district — a 14-kilometre route known for its shorter but steeper ascent. The second convoy, consisting of 1,583 pilgrims in 58 vehicles, opted for the longer 48-kilometre route through Pahalgam in Anantnag district.
Since July 2, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the inaugural group, over 1.39 lakh pilgrims have begun their trek from the Jammu base camp. The yatra is set to conclude on August 9, aligning with the celebration of Raksha Bandhan.
Just a day prior, on Friday, the cave shrine welcomed 8,181 devotees. Among them were over 6,300 men, more than 1,200 women, 84 children, and 59 ascetics, along with security personnel. That day, another batch of 2,896 pilgrims also left from Jammu in 117 vehicles, continuing the unbroken rhythm of this year’s spiritual march.
The ice Shivlingam, formed by nature inside the high-altitude cave, continues to inspire reverence among visitors from across India and beyond. Though its form has begun to recede with the season’s progression, its spiritual pull endures.
In comparison to last year’s final count of over 5.10 lakh pilgrims, this year’s tally shows strong participation with still weeks to go. Devotees remain undeterred by natural changes, their commitment unwavering as they move forward on this journey of faith.
