Srinagar, Jul 22 (KNO): The annual Amarnath Yatra continued on Tuesday with around 11,000 pilgrims paying obeisance at the holy cave shrine nestled in the Himalayas of South Kashmir.
With this, the cumulative figure of devotees, who have undertaken the pilgrimage since its commencement on July 3, has reached 3.31 lakh, officials said.
Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a total of 10,829 pilgrims performed darshan at the sacred cave on Tuesday. Among them were 7646 men, 2,660 women, 97 children, 76 sadhus, 2 sadhvis, 3 transgender persons and 345 security personnel.
While the footfall at the shrine remained good, the number of pilgrims departing from Jammu—the starting point for most yatris—has shown a consistent downward trend over the past few days.
From 7,908 pilgrims on July 18, the number dropped to 6,365 on July 19, 4,388 on July 20, 3,791 on July 21 and 3536 on July 22— the lowest daily departure figure recorded so far during this year’s yatra.
Despite the decline, officials said that the pilgrimage is progressing smoothly and peacefully, with robust security and logistical arrangements in place across all transit and base locations.
Escorted by Central Reserve Police Force and police personnel, the 20th batch of 3,536 pilgrims -- 2,601 men, 822 women, 11 children and 102 sadhus and sadhvis -- left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp Jammu this morning.
The first pilgrim convoy, carrying 1,250 pilgrims in 48 vehicles, left for the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The second convoy of 2,286 pilgrims in 84 vehicles undertook the yatra via the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route in Anantnag district.
“Even though there is a slight decline in pilgrim turnout from Jammu, the overall yatra is proceeding without disruptions. All necessary facilities including shelter, food, medical assistance, and route security are fully operational,” an official said.
This year’s Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to conclude on August 9, is being conducted amid unprecedented security measures, including drone surveillance, RFID tracking for pilgrims and a multi-layered deployment of forces—(KNO)