Shri Amarnath Yatra Moves Ahead Peacefully Despite Dip in Jammu Departures
KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, July 21: The annual Amarnath Yatra continues to witness a steady flow of pilgrims as over 17,000 devotees paid obeisance at the revered cave shrine in South Kashmir on Monday. Since the pilgrimage began on July 3, more than 3.21 lakh yatris have performed the sacred darshan, according to official figures.
On Monday alone, 17,016 pilgrims visited the cave shrine, nestled high in the Himalayas. The day’s count included 12,757 men, 3,270 women, 150 children, 158 sadhus, 9 sadhvis, 3 transgender persons, and 669 personnel from security forces.
While the number of pilgrims at the shrine remains encouraging, officials noted a consistent drop in the daily turnout of pilgrims from Jammu—the traditional starting point of the yatra. From 7,908 pilgrims on July 18, the figure dipped to 6,365 on July 19, followed by 4,388 on July 20, and fell further to 3,791 on July 21, marking the lowest single-day departure so far this year.
Despite the decline in footfall from Jammu, the pilgrimage is progressing smoothly. “There have been no disruptions. The arrangements—ranging from food and shelter to medical aid and route security—remain fully functional and responsive to the needs of pilgrims,” a senior official said.
Early Monday morning, a fresh batch of 3,791 yatris left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu, guarded by heavy security, en route to the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam. Of the departing group, 3,067 were men, 522 women, 9 children, 192 sadhus and sadhvis, and one transgender pilgrim.
The convoy was split based on route: the Baltal-bound contingent, comprising 1,208 pilgrims, travelled in 52 vehicles, while the Pahalgam-bound group of 2,583 pilgrims moved in 96 vehicles, officials confirmed.
The ongoing yatra, set to conclude on August 9, is being held under stringent security measures. These include drone surveillance, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tracking for pilgrims, and multi-tiered deployment of forces to ensure a safe and seamless pilgrimage experience.
Officials expressed satisfaction over the overall conduct of the yatra so far, highlighting that despite weather and logistical challenges, the spiritual journey continues peacefully and with strong administrative support.
