Faith Knows No Pause: Fresh Batch of 3,823 Pilgrims Heads to Amarnath Shrine

The Amarnath Yatra continued to witness an overwhelming response from devotees on Monday as 3,823 pilgrims set off from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu for the revered cave shrine nestled in the south Kashmir Himalayas.

The latest batch, the 12th convoy of this year's pilgrimage, comprised 2,966 men, 855 women, and two children. The pilgrims departed in 140 vehicles under stringent security arrangements, with chants of "Bam Bam Bhole" and "Har Har Mahadev" echoing through the base camp as devotees embarked on their spiritual journey.

With Monday's departure, the total number of pilgrims who have left the Jammu base camp since the pilgrimage began has reached 1,27,326, reflecting the steady influx of devotees participating in one of Hinduism's most revered annual pilgrimages.

Officials said that no pilgrims were allowed to travel via the traditional Pahalgam route, as the route remains temporarily suspended due to ongoing track repair work. Consequently, all pilgrims in the latest batch proceeded through the Baltal route, which continues to remain operational.

The annual pilgrimage has witnessed remarkable participation this year. Since the Amarnath Yatra commenced on July 2, more than 4.15 lakh devotees have offered prayers at the naturally formed ice lingam, considered a sacred symbol of Lord Shiva.

Authorities have maintained elaborate security and logistical arrangements along the pilgrimage routes to ensure the safety and smooth movement of devotees amid the large turnout.

The 57-day Amarnath Yatra, one of the country's most significant religious pilgrimages, is scheduled to conclude on August 28, with thousands more devotees expected to undertake the sacred journey in the coming weeks.