Srinagar – The annual Amarnath Yatra 2025 is progressing peacefully and smoothly, with more than 3.6 lakh pilgrims having performed ‘Darshan’ at the holy cave shrine in the Kashmir Himalayas over the past 22 days, officials said on Saturday.
Despite heightened security concerns, the pilgrimage that began on July 3 has continued without major disruptions. On Saturday morning, a fresh batch of 2,324 Yatris departed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu, escorted in two separate convoys.
“The first convoy of 34 vehicles carrying 741 pilgrims left at 3:25 a.m. for the Baltal base camp, while the second convoy of 58 vehicles with 1,583 pilgrims departed at 3:45 a.m. for the Pahalgam base camp,” officials said.
‘Chhari Mubarak’ Rituals Begin
On Friday, the sacred ‘Chhari Mubarak’ (holy mace of Lord Shiva) was taken for the traditional puja to the Sharika Bhawani temple atop Hari Parbat in Srinagar.
As per custom, the sole custodian of the Chhari Mubarak, Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, will carry it from the Amareshwar Temple at Dashnami Akhara in Srinagar to the holy Amarnath cave on August 4.
The ceremonial journey includes spiritual halts and pujas at Pampore, Bijbehara, Mattan, and Pahalgam, culminating at the cave shrine on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan, marking the end of the 38-day Yatra.
Massive Security Deployment After Pahalgam Attack
In response to the tragic April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where Pakistan-backed militants brutally killed 26 civilians, authorities have implemented unprecedented multi-tier security arrangements.
Over 180 additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed.
More than 8,000 special commandos from the Army are securing key pilgrimage routes.
Forces from the BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police are also on high alert.
The Journey to the Holy Cave
The Amarnath cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,888 metres, can be accessed via two main routes:
Pahalgam route (46 km): A traditional four-day trek via Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni.
Baltal route (14 km): A shorter and steeper route, allowing a round trip in a single day.
This year, helicopter services have been suspended due to security reasons, making the pilgrimage entirely on foot or horseback.
The Sacred Ice Lingam
The cave shrine is famous for housing a naturally occurring ice stalagmite, which is revered by devotees as a manifestation of Lord Shiva. The formation is known to wax and wane with the lunar cycle, adding a mystical element to the spiritual experience.
With the Yatra continuing peacefully amid tight security, officials remain optimistic about a safe and successful pilgrimage season, which is set to conclude on August 9. (Source: IANS)
