The 62-day Amarnath Yatra of this year began on July 1 and will conclude on August 31 on Shravan Purnima, which falls on the same day as Raksha Bandhan.
On the 28th day of the Yatra, more than 7,000 pilgrims received ‘darshan’ despite bad weather along the dual pathways to the Amarnath cave shrine, while another group of 2,050 pilgrims departed Jammu for the Valley on Saturday.
As of July 1, according to officials, more than 3.77 lakh persons have participated in this year’s Amarnath Yatra.
Another group of 2,050 Yatris travelled to the Valley in an escorted convoy on Saturday from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu.
“Of these, 1,618 are male, 357 are female, 12 are children, 54 are Sadhus, and 9 are Sadhvis,” the authorities said.
36 pilgrims have already lost their lives on the Yatra since it began this year.
Both the classic South Kashmir Pahalgam route—a 43-kilometer ascent from Pahalgam base camp—and the 14-kilometer ascent from Baltal base camp are used by pilgrims to reach the Himalayan cave shrine.
Those travelling the conventional Pahalgam route arrive to the cave shrine in three to four days, while those travelling the Baltal route arrive at the base camp the same day after receiving ‘darshan’ within the cave shrine, which is located 3,888 metres above sea level.
On both routes, Yatris may also use helicopter services.
The ice stalagmite formation in the cave temple is said by followers to represent the mythological powers of Lord Shiva.
The ice stalagmite structure changes in size according on the moon’s phases.
The 62-day Amarnath Yatra of this year began on July 1 and will conclude on August 31 on Shravan Purnima, which falls on the same day as Raksha Bandhan.
Authorities have prohibited any junk food from the free communal kitchens known as “Langars” that have been put up along both routes of the Yatra in order to safeguard the pilgrims from high altitude sickness.
All bottled beverages, Halwai products, fried meals, and things made with tobacco are prohibited.
