The Yatra had been halted on Thursday following relentless rains which triggered landslides along the routes, posing a threat to the safety of pilgrims. However, with improved weather conditions, authorities gave the green light for pilgrims to proceed.
ANI reported that the 16th batch comprising 7,908 pilgrims left from Jammu early on Friday morning under tight security. Devotees from across India and abroad have been participating in the annual pilgrimage that commenced on July 3.
“Pilgrims have been visiting the shrine from all parts of the country and abroad since the beginning of the Yatra and have expressed great enthusiasm in undertaking this journey of faith, apart from appreciating the services and efficient management in the conduct of the Yatra,” an official was quoted as saying by ANI.
Also read | Amarnath Yatra: Kashmir CM projects 3.5 lakh pilgrims to visit Holy Shrine by August 9
The Jammu and Kashmir Department of Information and Public Relations said on July 17 that approximately 2.5 lakh devotees had performed darshan at the sacred cave located in the Himalayas of south Kashmir at an altitude of 3,888 metres.
Speaking on the turnout, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had expressed confidence in record-breaking participation this year. Reflecting on earlier security concerns following the Pahalgam terror attack in April, he said: “The Amarnath Yatra will continue till August 9, and I hope that this number will increase. There was a time when, after the Pahalgam attack, it seemed that hardly anyone would come for the Amarnath Yatra. But we have touched 2.5 lakh, and if it stays like this, then we should easily cross three lakhs and 3.5 lakh.”
The Amarnath Yatra is a significant religious pilgrimage for Hindus, where devotees trek to the cave shrine to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. Pilgrims choose between the 48-kilometre Pahalgam route in South Kashmir or the 14-kilometre Baltal route in the North. The pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on August 9.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
