In a remarkable achievement, the Amarnath Yatra has welcomed over 300,000 devotees to the sacred cave shrine within the initial 12 days of the pilgrimage, setting a historical record for attendance. Daily arrivals of pilgrims have been consistently recorded between 15,000 and 20,000, demonstrating a 37 percent increase compared to the same period last year, despite the early melting of the revered ice Shivling, known as Baba Barfani.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha praised the collective efforts of officials, security teams, service providers, and volunteers for facilitating a smooth pilgrimage experience. He took to X to celebrate this milestone, labeling it a “historic new record” and attributing the success to the meticulous coordination among all involved parties, which has ensured the Yatra remains safe and memorable for attendees.
Officials noted that the impressive turnout is a result of comprehensive preparations by the Amarnath Shrine Board and security agencies, which have effectively managed the flow of pilgrims along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. Devotees have shown steadfast faith, with many continuing to visit the shrine daily, undeterred by the melting of the ice formation.
Pinky Lakhara, a pilgrim, expressed her optimism about the Yatra, stating, “It is a very encouraging development. More and more pilgrims are arriving every day, reflecting the deep faith people have in Baba Barfani. With the holy month of Sawan approaching, I am confident that the number of devotees will increase even further. Although the naturally formed ice Shivling has melted due to the effects of global warming, the spiritual presence of Baba remains at the holy cave. That unwavering faith is why devotees will continue to visit in large numbers.”
The pilgrimage’s 14th batch, consisting of 6,251 devotees, departed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu on Wednesday for the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps. Among them, 2,985 took the shorter Baltal route, while 3,266 opted for the traditional Pahalgam route. The convoy included 230 vehicles, which comprised 137 buses, 34 medium motor vehicles, and 59 light motor vehicles.
This batch contained 4,439 men, 1,614 women, 13 children, 78 sadhus, 53 sadhvis, one child sadhu, three transgender pilgrims, and 50 foreign male pilgrims. Hardik Goswami, another pilgrim, remarked, “It is wonderful to see that so many pilgrims have visited the holy cave in the first 12 days of the Yatra. There is a strong security presence everywhere, and we have felt completely safe throughout our journey. We did not face any difficulties, and the arrangements have been excellent. Although the ice Shivling has melted due to global warming, our faith in Baba Barfani remains unwavering. It is this deep devotion that will continue to bring pilgrims here.”
Advance registrations for the pilgrimage have surpassed the four-lakh mark and are ongoing across the country. Despite challenges such as weather conditions and the demand for on-the-spot and Tatkal registrations, officials confirmed that the pilgrimage has proceeded without interruptions. The Amarnath Yatra commenced earlier this month and is set to conclude on August 28, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival.
