Amarnath Yatra Suspended Due to Heavy Rains, Pilgrims Hopeful for Resumption

The Amarnath Yatra was paused on the Pahalgam and Baltal routes in Jammu and Kashmir because of bad weather conditions triggered by heavy rains. Pilgrims remain hopeful for a quick resumption of the pilgrimage, commending security forces for their support.

In a recent development, the Amarnath Yatra was suspended Tuesday on the Pahalgam and Baltal routes in Jammu and Kashmir due to severe weather following heavy rains earlier this week. A pilgrim from Bihar, Ashish, who reached Srinagar on Monday evening, expressed optimism about the yatra resuming shortly.

‘We got to know that the Yatra has been shut down for some reasons. We received the input that Yatra would be resuming today. We will pay the obeisance for sure,’ he told ANI. Ashish also praised the security personnel for their cooperation with the pilgrims. ‘The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and all the local police authorities here are cooperating with the pilgrims. We are getting good treatment,’ he added.

Highlighting the improvements in the security situation, he urged everyone to visit Kashmir. ‘Now the situation has completely changed. Thanks to the Government of India,’ he said. The annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine began on June 29 and is scheduled to conclude on August 19.

KR Patil, a pilgrim from Gujarat, also expressed his disappointment after learning about the two-day suspension. ‘Here, we got to know it (Yatra) is shut for two days. I have been staying here. Facilities are up to mark,’ Patil noted. He remains hopeful that the Yatra would resume today. The Yatra, organized by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, includes two routes: one via Pahalgam and the other via Baltal in the Ganderbal district of Kashmir. Baltal serves as the camping ground for pilgrims.

This year’s Amarnath Yatra is occurring amid a significant increase in terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)