Amarnath Yatra 2025: Over 13,000 perform darshan on Tuesday
Srinagar: Despite overcast weather conditions in the higher reaches of Kashmir, the annual Amarnath Yatra continues to progress smoothly, with thousands of devotees undertaking the pilgrimage to the holy cave.
According to official figures a total of 13,490 pilgrims performed darshan at the holy cave on July 15, including 9,096 male, 3,546 female, 199 children, 67 sadhus, and 14 sadhvis. 568 security personnel also availed darshan.
The cumulative number of yatris who have paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine so far this year has now reached 2,34,001, officials said.
Despite intermittent rain and cloudy conditions, authorities said the yatra is continuing peacefully and all necessary arrangements including medical aid, escort security, and traffic regulation remain in place.
Over the past decade and a half, the Amarnath Yatra has seen a cumulative footfall of more than 51 lakh pilgrims. Official figures reflect sharp fluctuations in pilgrim turnout, influenced by both natural and administrative factors.
In 2010, 4.55 lakh pilgrims made their way to the Amarnath cave shrine. The numbers peaked in the following two years, with 6.21 lakh pilgrims recorded in 2011 and 6.35 lakh in 2012. However, subsequent years witnessed a decline, reaching a low of 2.21 lakh in 2016.
The dip was attributed to weather-related disruptions and security concerns. The turnaround began in the years that followed, with authorities ramping up facilities and tightening safety arrangements.
The Yatra began regaining momentum, crossing 3 lakh in 2018 and remaining steady until the pandemic halted the pilgrimage entirely in 2020 and 2021.
In 2022, the Yatra resumed with 3.04 lakh pilgrims, followed by a notable increase in 2023 as 4.50 lakh devotees participated. The upward trend continued into 2024, when a record 5 lakh pilgrims—both domestic and international—undertook the journey to the high-altitude shrine.
It was the highest turnout since 2012. Between 2021 and 2024, the duration of the pilgrimage varied widely. In 2021, it was scheduled for 56 days but was suspended midway due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The yatra was conducted over 43 days in 2022, 62 days in 2023, and 52 days in 2024.
Meanwhile a fresh batch of 6,388 pilgrims left a base camp here early Tuesday to offer prayers at the Amarnath cave shrine.
Over 2.25 lakh pilgrims have so far performed ‘darshan’ at the shrine since the start of the 38-day annual yatra, which commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district on July 3.
The yatra will conclude on August 9.
Officials said the 14th batch of 6,388 pilgrims, including 1,308 women, left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here in 248 vehicles between 3:25 am and 4:15 am, the officials said.
The first pilgrim convoy, carrying 2,501 pilgrims in 103 vehicles, left for the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district, followed by the second convoy of 3,887 pilgrims in 145 vehicles who are undertaking the yatra via the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route in Anantnag district, they said.
With this, a total of 95,439 pilgrims have departed from the Jammu base camp for the valley since July 2, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch. (with inputs from KNO/PTI)