Amarnath Yatra 2024 breaks records
The ongoing Amarnath Yatra has already surpassed last year’s record for pilgrim attendance, with over 471,000 devotees having completed their ‘darshan’ at the shrine. This figure exceeds the total of 445,000 pilgrims who participated in the entire Yatra last year, according to officials.
On Wednesday, a fresh batch of 1,654 pilgrims departed from Jammu for the Valley. The pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in two escorted convoys at 3:20 a.m. On the previous day, 5,000 devotees undertook the Yatra, further boosting the impressive turnout for this year’s pilgrimage.
“First escorted convoy of 17 vehicles carrying 456 pilgrims left for the North Kashmir Baltal base camp. The second escorted convoy of 34 vehicles carrying 1,198 Yatris left for the South Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp”, officials said.
Arrangements of security, community kitchens (Langars), transit and base camps, and the ubiquitous presence of security forces all along the highway from Jammu to Kashmir have ensured a safe, smooth, and hassle-free Yatra this year.
This year’s Yatra will conclude after 52 days on August 19 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.
Amarnath Cave shrine: A sacred ice stalagmite and pilgrimage routes
The Amarnath Cave Shrine, located 3,888 meters above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas, features a unique ice stalagmite structure believed to symbolize the mythical powers of Lord Shiva. Devotees can access the shrine via two main routes: the traditional 48 km Pahalgam route, which takes 4-5 days, or the shorter 14 km Baltal route, which allows pilgrims to complete their visit in a single day.
The most important helping hand to the Yatris is provided by the locals. These locals employ ponies and work as porters for the pilgrims often carrying the weak and infirm devotees on their back up and down the treacherous mountain route on both sides of approach.
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