Witnesses 37% surge in footfall; LG Sinha lauds stakeholders as pilgrimage gains momentum
Srinagar, Jul 14: The annual Amarnath Yatra has scripted history this year, with the pilgrimage crossing the three-lakh pilgrim mark within just 12 days, registering a nearly 37 per cent increase in footfall compared to the previous year.
Official figures available with the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reveal that 26,308 pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine on Tuesday, taking the total number of devotees since the commencement of the Yatra on July 3 to 3,01,926 (three lakh one thousand nine hundred and twenty-six).
During the same period in 2025, a total of 2,20,511 (two lakh twenty thousand five hundred and eleven) pilgrims had undertaken the pilgrimage. The latest figures indicate an increase of 81,415 pilgrims, translating into a 36.92 per cent (approximately 37%) rise this year.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha commended all the officials, service providers and volunteers for their valuable contribution to the holy Amarnath pilgrimage.
In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor said: “Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra has set a historic new record, crossing the 3 lakh mark in just 12 days. I commend all the officials, service providers and volunteers. Their dedication and hard work have made this holy pilgrimage smooth and memorable for every devotee of Baba Barfani. Har Har Mahadev!”
Meanwhile, the 13th batch of pilgrims undertaking the annual pilgrimage left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu during the early hours of Tuesday under multi-layered security arrangements and reached Kashmir.
According to official figures, 5,335 pilgrims departed for the twin base camps, with 1,736 heading towards the Baltal route and 3,599 opting for the traditional Pahalgam route.
The Baltal convoy departed at 2:42 am, while the Pahalgam convoy rolled out at 3:10 am under the escort of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF and other security agencies.
The batch comprised 3,911 men, 1,288 women, 21 children, 90 sadhus, 24 sadhvis, and one transgender pilgrim.
A total of 232 vehicles, including 138 buses, 36 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), 57 light motor vehicles (LMVs), and one two-wheeler, were deployed for the movement of the pilgrims. Of these, 99 vehicles proceeded towards Baltal, while 133 vehicles moved towards Pahalgam.
The 57-day Shri Amarnath Yatra will conclude on August 28, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
Located at an altitude of 3,880 metres above sea level in the Himalayas, the Amarnath cave shrine is revered for its naturally formed ice stalagmite, believed by devotees to symbolise Lord Shiva. (KNO)
