Over 1.25 lakh Yatris had ‘darshan’ inside the holy cave since the Amarnath Yatra started on June 29 while another batch of 6,919 pilgrims left for Kashmir on Friday.
Officials of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) which manages the affairs of the Yatra said, “Another batch of 6,919 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatra Niwas in two escorted convoys for the Valley today. Of these, 2542 pilgrims left in an escorted convoy of 109 vehicles at 4 a.m. for the North Kashmir Baltal base camp while another escorted convoy of 150 vehicles carrying 4,377 Yatris left at 4.30 a.m. for the South Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp.”
The Meteorological (MeT) department has forecast generally cloudy weather on both the Yatra routes with the possibility of light rain/thunder during the day.
Yatris take either the 48 km long traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter 14 km long Baltal route to perform the Yatra.
Those using the Pahalgam route take four days to reach the cave shrine while those taking the Baltal route return to the base camp the same day after having ‘darshan’.
The cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon.
Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
Extensive arrangements for security have been made this year all along the nearly 300 km long Jammu-Srinagar highway, at the twin Yatra routes, the two base camps and the cave shrine to ensure a smooth, incident-free Yatra.
Over 124 ‘langars’ (community kitchens) have been set up along both the routes and also at the transit camps and the cave shrine.
Over 7,000 ‘Sevadars’ (Volunteers) are serving the Yatris during this year’s Yatra.
Helicopter services are also available for the Yatris on both routes.
Assam Rifles seize foreign cigarettes valued at Rs 1 crore in Tripura; 2 held
In a major operation against clandestine illegal activities, Assam Rifles, in collaboration with Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB), have seized foreign cigarettes valued at over Rs 1 crore in Tripura and arrested two smugglers.
BSF foils smuggling and infiltration attempts in Tripura
In the early hours of January 15, 2025, the Border Security Force (BSF) successfully thwarted multiple attempts of smuggling and infiltration along the international border in Tripura, employing a non-lethal strategy.
Two arrested with drugs worth Rs 2 Lakh in city
In a significant operation, the NCC police station successfully raided a house in the Khejur Bagan area, resulting in the seizure of a large quantity of narcotics and cash. The raid, which was carried out based on a confidential tip-off, was overseen by Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sushanta Deb of the NCC police station.
Sanitation workers at Shantirbazar hospital strike over unpaid wages
Sanitation workers at Shantirbazar District Hospital have gone on strike, demanding the immediate release of their unpaid wages and a fair salary. These essential workers, responsible for maintaining the hospital's cleanliness and hygiene, have not received their salaries for the past three months.
Kokborok language mapping project nears completion: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that the state government has taken various important steps for the development of the Kokborok language.
CM announces two kilometers road divider project to enhance traffic safety
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that the state government is working on making the traffic system more efficient and safe and in order to make traffic movement smoother, a plan has been taken to install road dividers for about 2 kilometers on the national highway.
EAM Jaishankar calls on Singapore President, discusses bilateral cooperation in semiconductors, industrial parks and skilling
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar called on visiting Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam in New Delhi on Wednesday, holding discussions with the foreign dignitary on bilateral cooperation in several areas ahead of his scheduled meetings with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.
GRAP IV restrictions reimposed in Delhi-NCR as pollution levels surge
The CAQM had, on January 12, revoked Stage-3 restrictions after the AQI in Delhi improved due to rainfall. Stage-IV restrictions include a ban on all construction activities, the entry of non-essential polluting trucks into Delhi, and the mandatory shift of school classes, except for classes 10 and 12, to hybrid mode.