Record-Breaking Pilgrimage: Over 1,677 Pilgrims Brave Heavy Rains to Visit Amarnath Shrine

Despite heavy rains, a fresh batch of 1,677 pilgrims departed from Jammu base camp for the Amarnath shrine in south Kashmir on Sunday. The contingent included men, women, children, and sadhus, traveling under tight security. The yatra, which started on June 29, has seen more than 4.51 lakh pilgrims so far.

Despite heavy rains, a fresh batch of 1,677 pilgrims departed from Jammu base camp for the Amarnath shrine in South Kashmir on Sunday, officials reported. The 31st group, including over 1,300 men, 200 women, two children, and 104 sadhus and sadhvis, embarked at 3.35 am in a convoy of 67 vehicles, tightly secured by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Of these pilgrims, 1,269 will journey through the traditional 48-km route in Anantnag district, while 408 opted for the shorter, more challenging 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district.

Since June 28, when Lt Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first group from Jammu, a total of 1,36,984 pilgrims have commenced their journey from the base camp. So far, over 4.51 lakh pilgrims have offered prayers at the naturally-formed ice lingam at the Amarnath cave shrine, surpassing last year's total of 4.5 lakh pilgrims. The yatra, which began on June 29, is scheduled to conclude on August 19.

(With inputs from agencies.)