Jammu: The spiritual fervour surrounding the annual Amarnath Yatra remains undeterred as the total number of pilgrims visiting the holy cave shrine in the Himalayas crossed the two-lakh mark within just 11 days of commencement.
According to officials, 17,317 pilgrims paid obeisance to Lord Shiva on Sunday alone at the 3,800-metre-high sacred cave located in south Kashmir Himalayas.
With this, the cumulative total of yatris since the yatra began on July 3 has reached 2,00,063.
Of those who undertook the pilgrimage on Sunday, 12,210 were men, 4,202 women, 264 children, 103 sadhus, 18 sadhvis, six transgenders, and 514 security personnel, as per the data shared by the administration.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 7,049 pilgrims set off from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar base camp early Sunday morning amid tight security. This 12th batch included 1,423 women, 31 children, and 136 sadhus and sadhvis. Pilgrims were headed toward the two traditional base camps – Nunwan-Pahalgam in Anantnag and Baltal in Ganderbal.
Officials said 4,158 pilgrims left for Pahalgam in 148 vehicles, while 2,891 pilgrims took the Baltal route in 138 vehicles. The 38-day-long pilgrimage, which started on July 3, will culminate on August 9, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival.
Despite the enthusiasm, the yatra saw a minor hiccup on Sunday when three buses returning from the cave shrine were involved in a road accident in Kulgam district, injuring at least 10 pilgrims. Officials confirmed that all injured were in stable condition and were quickly transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The damaged buses were taken off the route, and the remaining passengers were shifted to reserve buses, allowing the convoy to proceed without major delay.
So far, the pilgrimage has been largely smooth, with adequate security, transport, and medical arrangements in place. As the yatra continues, the administration remains on alert to ensure the safety and well-being of thousands of pilgrims who undertake this high-altitude spiritual journey each day.
