Avinash Azad
Defying concerns over the early melting of the naturally formed Ice Lingam, more than 1.77 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnath in the south Kashmir Himalayas. However, the annual pilgrimage has also witnessed tragedy, with 11 deaths reported so far, including eight pilgrims, two security personnel and one sevadar.
Official figures, reveal that 177,630 pilgrims have performed darshan at the cave shrine since the commencement of the Yatra, making it one of the most heavily attended pilgrimages in recent years.
The naturally formed Ice Lingam, considered the spiritual centrepiece of the pilgrimage, reportedly melted completely within a week of the Yatra’s commencement owing to prevailing weather conditions. However, the development has had little impact on the enthusiasm of devotees, with thousands continuing to arrive in Jammu and Kashmir every day to undertake the pilgrimage.
The movement of pilgrims into Kashmir has been taking place on an unprecedented scale. Of the total number of devotees who have undertaken the Yatra so far, 52,816 pilgrims reached the Pahalgam and Baltal base camps from Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, in escorted convoys comprising 2,335 vehicles.
In addition, 25,122 pilgrims arrived in Kashmir through rail and air services before proceeding to the base camps, while the remaining 89,682 devotees reached the twin base camps independently after completing the mandatory registration process.
Officials said, “1,190 vehicles carrying pilgrims travelled via the Baltal route, while 1,145 vehicles proceeded through the traditional Pahalgam axis, ensuring a smooth and regulated movement of yatris into the Valley. Data further show that of the 52,816 pilgrims who departed from Jammu in official convoys, 29,920 chose the traditional Pahalgam route, while 22,896 opted for the shorter Baltal route.
Apart from road convoys, alternative modes of transport have also witnessed a significant rush. “A total of 16,318 pilgrims reached Kashmir by train, while another 8,804 arrived through commercial and chartered flights,” underlining the accessibility of the annual pilgrimage.
The footfall on both trekking routes has remained substantial. “As many as 97,762 pilgrims commenced their final ascent to the Holy Cave from the Baltal base camp, while 79,868 pilgrims undertook the pilgrimage through the Pahalgam route”, highlighting the extensive logistical and rescue arrangements put in place by the administration.
Officials said the pilgrimage has so far proceeded smoothly, with “158,299 pilgrims safely returning to the base camps after performing darshan. Of them, 147,590 returned through Baltal, while 10,709 reached back to the Pahalgam base camp.” Authorities have reiterated that elaborate security, medical, traffic and disaster management arrangements remain in place to facilitate the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage, as thousands more devotees continue to make their way to the revered Himalayan shrine every day.
