Srinagar: The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra has crossed the two-lakh pilgrim mark within just eight days of its commencement, reflecting an overwhelming surge in devotees undertaking the sacred pilgrimage this year.
Announcing the milestone, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the smooth conduct of the Yatra on both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes is a testament to the coordinated efforts of the administration and all stakeholders.
“In a remarkable testament to faith, the holy Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra has crossed the 2 lakh pilgrim mark in just 8 days,” the Lieutenant Governor posted on X, adding, “Har Har Mahadev!”
The annual pilgrimage commenced simultaneously from the twin routes of Baltal in Ganderbal district and Pahalgam in Anantnag district on July 3 and is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.
Earlier in the day, the Lieutenant Governor visited the Baltal Base Camp, where he reviewed the arrangements for pilgrims and inspected the Base Camp Hospital, on-the-spot registration counters, accommodation tents, sanitation facilities, drinking water arrangements and other essential infrastructure.
During a high-level review meeting with senior civil, police and Shrine Board officials, Sinha directed all departments to maintain seamless coordination to ensure a safe, smooth and memorable pilgrimage experience for every devotee.
“The comfort of devotees must remain our highest priority. From registration to accommodation, from smooth movement to darshan, every step of the journey should be seamless and free of obstacles. Every department and the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board must continue working in complete coordination,” he said.
Describing the pilgrimage as much more than a religious event, the Lieutenant Governor said the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is a living symbol of aspirational Jammu and Kashmir and is deeply intertwined with the region’s cultural and spiritual identity.
“It is woven into the very soul of this land, and preserving its sanctity and cleanliness is our collective responsibility,” he said.
Sinha also highlighted the economic benefits generated by the annual pilgrimage, stating that the increased inflow of pilgrims has created fresh opportunities for local traders, transport operators, pony owners, porters, shopkeepers and other service providers, thereby contributing significantly to the local economy.
During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor interacted with pilgrims, sanitation workers, healthcare professionals, volunteers and langar service providers, appreciating their dedication and selfless service in ensuring the successful conduct of the Yatra.
He appealed to devotees from across the country to undertake the pilgrimage and experience the spiritual journey to the holy cave shrine of Baba Barfani.
Reviewing security and civic arrangements, Sinha instructed authorities to take strict legal action against anyone found overcharging pilgrims or indulging in fraudulent registration practices, irrespective of whether the individual is a government employee, service provider or associated with any institution.
He also directed officials to conduct a comprehensive audit of sanitation arrangements and ensure an uninterrupted 24×7 water supply at all camps and along the Yatra routes. Officials informed him that the number of RO drinking water installations along the pilgrimage tracks has been increased to provide safe drinking water to devotees.
The administration also briefed the Lieutenant Governor on arrangements related to security, healthcare, accommodation, sanitation, electricity, water supply and traffic management, besides informing him that an effective feedback mechanism has been established for prompt resolution of issues raised by pilgrims.
Interacting with the media, Sinha said the administration, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army, CAPFs, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and all other stakeholders have worked in close coordination to ensure a hassle-free pilgrimage.
He noted that compared to previous years, a significantly larger number of pilgrims arrived without prior registration. However, the administration successfully facilitated their journey by completing all required formalities efficiently.
The Lieutenant Governor also said that the 100-bed hospitals at Baltal and Chandanwari have been functioning round the clock and are treating an average of 1,300 to 1,400 OPD patients daily, playing a crucial role in safeguarding the health of both pilgrims and personnel deployed along the routes.
Appealing to devotees to strictly follow the advisories issued by the administration and the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, Sinha assured that the entire administrative machinery is working 24×7 to ensure the safety, comfort and well-being of every pilgrim.
He urged pilgrims facing any difficulty during the Yatra to immediately contact the nearest Camp Director or security personnel so that prompt assistance can be provided.
With the pilgrimage witnessing an unprecedented response in its first eight days, authorities expect a steady influx of devotees in the coming weeks as thousands continue to arrive from across the country to pay obeisance at the holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva.
Earlier, ninth batch of 8,796 pilgrims, including 33 foreigners, left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here on Wednesday for the annual Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district amid multi-tier security, officials said.
More than 1.73 lakh pilgrims have had ‘darshan’ of the naturally formed ice ‘lingam’ of Lord Shiva at the 3,880-metre high cave shrine since the Yatra commenced on July 2, they said.
On Friday, 8796 pilgrims left the base camp here in 354 vehicles, including 6,046 men, 2,042 women, 228 sadhus, 56 sadhvis, 10 children, one transperson, and 33 foreigners.
According to the officials, the convoy departed in two separate groups. The Baltal axis convoy carrying 3,450 pilgrims left at 3:35 am, while the Pahalgam axis convoy with 5,346 pilgrims departed at 4 am amid chants of ‘Bam Bam Bhole’, ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Jai Barfani Baba Ki’.
With Friday’s departures, a total of 61,612 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for Kashmir since the Yatra commenced on July 2.
The 57-day Amarnath Yatra will conclude on August 28.
