Nearly 3.77 lakh pilgrims have participated in the Amarnath Yatra since it commenced on July 3, 2025, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) confirmed on Monday. Despite security concerns and logistical challenges, the pilgrimage has proceeded smoothly, drawing tens of thousands each day toward the 3,880-meter-high cave shrine nestled in the Himalayas.
On Monday, a fresh batch of 1,635 pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu in two escorted convoys. According to officials, the first convoy of 17 vehicles, carrying 374 Yatris, left at 3:25 a.m. for the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district, while the second convoy of 42 vehicles, with 1,261 pilgrims aboard, departed at 4:00 a.m. for the Pahalgam base camp in Anantnag.
Both routes, Baltal and Pahalgam, serve as critical access points to the sacred cave shrine, where the naturally formed ice lingam of Bhagwan Shiva is enshrined. Pilgrims undertake treks of varying difficulty, with Baltal offering a shorter but steeper climb, and Pahalgam a longer, more scenic route.
A spiritual and symbolic highlight of the Yatra is the Chhari Mubarak, the holy mace of Bhagwan Shiva, which represents the divine presence during the journey. Housed at the Shri Amareshwar Temple in the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar, the Chhari Mubarak embarks on a ceremonial pilgrimage of its own, led by sages and sadhus in strict religious observance.
The Chhari Sthapana ceremony, marking the spiritual awakening of the mace, was recently performed at the temple by designated priests under the supervision of the SASB. The next key ritual, Chhari Pujan, is scheduled for August 9 on the auspicious occasion of Nag Panchami, also at the Dashnami Akhara temple.
However, before the final pujan, the procession of the Chhari Mubarak will begin on August 4, travelling through key towns of spiritual significance. It will halt for ceremonial worship and public darshan at Pampore, Bijbehara, Mattan, and Pahalgam, enabling devotees along the way to offer their reverence.
This year’s Yatra is set to conclude on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan, both considered highly auspicious in Hindu tradition. The culmination will take place with the arrival of the Chhari Mubarak at the holy cave, marking the spiritual climax of the 38-day pilgrimage.
To ensure a smooth Yatra, the administration has deployed thousands of personnel, along with medical camps, helipads, and shelters along the route. Pilgrims are required to undergo registration and health check-ups before being permitted to join the journey.
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, has consistently monitored arrangements, stating, “The peaceful conduct and growing participation in the Yatra is a testament to the improved security situation and the collective efforts of all stakeholders.”
The Amarnath Yatra is not merely a physical trek but a deeply spiritual journey undertaken by lakhs who brave high-altitude terrains and harsh weather to witness the icy manifestation of Bhagwan Shiva. For many, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that combines devotion, discipline, and endurance.
