The Shri Amarnathji Yatra has achieved a remarkable milestone, with over three lakh pilgrims visiting the holy cave within just 21 days. This number is significantly higher than the previous year’s count at the same time. Despite challenging weather conditions and intermittent rains, 13,797 pilgrims performed darshan on a particular day, bringing the cumulative total to 3,07,354. The increasing number of pilgrims is attributed to the improved facilities provided by the Government.
Out of the total pilgrims, 10,088 were male, 3,381 were female, 226 were children, and 98 were Sadhus, along with four Sadhvis. The weather remained overcast and rainy, but the yatra proceeded without any disruptions.
The facilities and infrastructure for the yatra have been enhanced significantly by the Government, with almost 30 departments working together to ensure seamless arrangements. The availability of electricity, healthcare, roads, sanitation, transportation services, and more have contributed to a stress-free and enjoyable pilgrimage experience for devotees. Twin base camps, Pahalgam and Baltal, were illuminated with lights, allowing the yatra to continue during evening hours as well.
The Government has also established state-of-the-art hospitals to provide medical care to the pilgrims. Transportation facilities from Jammu to the base camps in Kashmir have been made available, including helicopter services for those who prefer it. An Integrated Command & Control Centre, integrated with RFID, helps with crowd control management and real-time coordination among all stakeholders.
The yatra’s success has garnered praise from both Indian and foreign pilgrims, with visitors from the USA, Ukraine, Nepal, and Malaysia expressing their appreciation for the organized arrangements and facilities.
However, there was a recent incident of a scuffle at the Sheshnag transit camp during the yatra, resulting in minor injuries to a few pilgrims and ponywallas. The authorities have arrested three individuals allegedly involved in the scuffle and have urged the public not to believe misleading videos or rumors.
Overall, the Amarnathji Yatra has become a center of attraction for citizens of India and foreigners alike, and the Government takes pride in serving the pilgrims with all available resources to ensure a memorable and spiritually enriching experience.
