Amarnath Yatra: Over 2 lakh pilgrims pay obeisance at holy cave in 20 days

Srinagar: Over 2 lakh pilgrims performed the Amarnath Yatra in 20 days as another batch of 4,355 pilgrims left Jammu for the Valley on Wednesday. Officials of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) which manages the affairs of the annual pilgrimage to the Himalayan cave shrine situated 3,888 metres above sea level said, "Another batch of 4,355 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu in two escorted convoys for the Valley today (Wednesday). Of these, 1,846 Yatris are going to Baltal and 2,509 are going to Pahalgam base camp."

Since this year`s Yatra started on June 30, 2,07,679 pilgrims have performed the yatra while 13,226 paid obeisance at the cave shrine on Tuesday. Those using the Baltal route have to trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine while those using the traditional Pahalgam route have to trek 48 km for 4 days to reach the cave shrine. Helicopter services are also available on both routes for the pilgrims.

Over 15,000 pilgrims have 'darshan' in one day

Nearly two lakh pilgrims have performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, while over 15,000 Yatris had `darshan` at the cave shrine on Monday. Officials of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) that manages the affairs of the annual Yatra said, "Since the Yatra started on June 30 this year, 1,99,453 have performed the Yatra.

It further said, "15,642 Yatris had Darshan at the holy cave yesterday". One pilgrim passed away on Monday taking the number of pilgrims who died due to natural causes so far to 32. Officials said another batch of 4,898 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu for the Valley on Tuesday in two escorted convoys.

Situated 3,888 metres above sea level, the cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva. 

Amarnath Yatra 2022 started on June 30 and will end after 43 days on August 11 on Shravan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandhan festival.