• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Mon, 15 Jul 2024 10:11 AM (IST)
  • Source:IANS
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Amarnath Yatra 2024: More than three lakh devotees have undertaken the pilgrimage to the Amarnath caves since the beginning of this year's 'Yatra' 16 days ago, officials said on Monday. The official announcement was made as a fresh batch of devotees, comprising 4,875 individuals, left for the Hindu shrine situated in the south Kashmir Himalayas. Given the number of pilgrims that have completed the ongoing pilgrimage so far, this year's Amarnath Yatra is expected to break all previous records. It is pertinent to mention that the 2024 edition of the annual pilgrimage still has 36 days left before coming to conclusion.  

Amarnath Yatra 2024 On Course To Break Records

The pilgrimage recorded the most number of devotees in 2011, when 6,30,000 people completed the 'yatra'. Despite intermittent rains and thundershowers along the two routes -- one that goes through Pahalgam and the other that goes through Baltal -- for the Amarnath Yatra, more than 15,000 pilgrims paid obeisance inside the holy cave on Sunday. On Monday, a fresh batch of 4,875 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the Valley in two escorted convoys, officials said.

"First escorted convoy left at 3:05 am carrying 1,918 Yatris in 68 vehicles for north Kashmir Baltal base camp. Second escorted convoy left at 3:50 am carrying 2,957 Yatris in 94 vehicles for south Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp," the officials were quoted as saying by news agency IANS.

Amarnath Yatra 2024: Security Challenges

This year, the annual Amarnath Yatra is taking place amid a significant increase in the number of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. The ongoing pilgrimage, which started on June 29 and will end on August 19, began on the heels of recent terror attacks in the Jammu region, including the terror attack at an army convoy in Kathua and encounters between security forces and terrorists in Doda and Udhampur. Unprecedented security measures, including electronic surveillance, along the entire Yatra route have been put in place this year, ANI said in a report.

What Is The Amarnath Yatra Like?

The Amarnath cave houses an ice stalagmite structure that takes up the form of a 'Shiva Lingam' during a certain period of the year, usually between May and August. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas. Devotees approach the cave shrine either from the traditional south Kashmir Pahalgam route or the north Kashmir Baltal route.

(With inputs from agencies)