The ninth group of pilgrims set off from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra on Friday, with stringent security measures in place. Enthusiastic devotees commenced their spiritual journey with religious chants and hymns, showcasing their fervor and dedication. Many pilgrims praised the well-organized arrangements by the administration for the yatra.
More than 1.42 lakh devotees have already visited the holy Amarnath cave shrine in the initial six days of the pilgrimage. A total of 8,150 yatris departed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, with 4,705 heading towards Nunwan base camp and 3,445 towards Baltal base camp, each in separate escorted convoys. All pilgrims who visited the cave shrine earlier have safely returned to the Baltal base camp.
Situated at an altitude of 3880 meters above sea level, the cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that grows and shrinks with the lunar phases, believed by devotees to represent the mystical powers of Lord Shiva. The pilgrimage, known as SANJY-2026, began on July 3 and will conclude on August 28, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.
