Amarnath Yatra this year began on July 1 and will conclude on August 31 for Shravan Purnima.
July 31 in Srinagar: On Monday, another group of 1,550 pilgrims left Jammu for the Valley, bringing the total number of pilgrims participating in the current Amarnath Yatra to almost 7,000, according to authorities.
As another group of 1,550 pilgrims departed Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in an escorted convoy for the Valley on Monday, officials noted that about 7,000 pilgrims got “darshan” inside the sacred cave on the 30th day of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra on Sunday.
The group of 1,550 pilgrims departing for the Valley today is the fewest since the Yatra began on July 1.
According to authorities, “the batch includes 1,165 males, 354 females, seven children, 19 Sadhus, and five Sadhvis.”
36 pilgrims have already passed away so far this year during the Yatra.
The traditional south Kashmir Pahalgam route, which requires a 43-kilometer ascent from the Pahalgam base camp, or the north Kashmir Baltal base camp, which requires a 14-kilometer ascent, are the two ways that pilgrims access the Himalayan cave shrine.
While those who follow the Baltal way return to base camp the same day after experiencing ‘darshan’ inside the cave shrine, which is located 3,888 metres above sea level, those who travel the conventional Pahalgam route require three to four days to reach the cave shrine.
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.
To protect the pilgrims from high altitude sickness, authorities have banned all junk food at the free community kitchens called the ‘Langars’ have been set up along both the routes of the Yatra.
All bottled beverages, halwai items, fried meals, and anything containing cigarettes are prohibited.
