NEW DELHI: More than 12,300 devotees had darshan at the sacred Amarnath cave shrine recently, marking a strong and auspicious start to this year’s Amarnath Yatra, media reports said.

Another group of 6,411 pilgrims set off from Jammu under unprecedented security arrangements. The batch departed from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two heavily guarded convoys comprising 291 vehicles. According to officials, 2,789 pilgrims are headed toward the Baltal base camp, while 3,622 are en route to the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam.

The spirit among the pilgrims was vibrant and deeply devotional, with chants of “Bum Bum Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev” echoing through the air. Many yatris expressed that their motivation stemmed from unwavering faith in Lord Shiva and a deep spiritual calling—undeterred by recent security concerns.

This year’s Yatra is taking place under an extensive security apparatus, following the brutal April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where Pakistan-backed militants killed 26 civilians in a targeted assault based on religious identity. In response, the government has deployed an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), complementing the presence of the Indian Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.

All transit camps and the entire pilgrimage route—from Jammu to the high-altitude cave shrine—are under constant surveillance, with a multi-layered security grid ensuring round-the-clock protection.

In a powerful gesture of communal harmony, local Kashmiris welcomed the Yatra with open arms. As the first batch of pilgrims entered the Valley through the Navyug Tunnel, they were greeted at Qazigund with garlands and placards—a heartwarming show of solidarity and support in defiance of violence and fear.

The 38-day pilgrimage, which began on July 3, will culminate on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. Pilgrims can choose between two routes: the traditional 46-kilometre trail from Pahalgam, which takes four days with stops at Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni; or the shorter 14-kilometre Baltal route, which allows for a same-day return.

Perched at an altitude of 3,888 metres in the Kashmir Himalayas, the cave shrine houses a naturally formed ice lingam, revered as a manifestation of Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, it was here that Lord Shiva revealed the secret of immortality to Goddess Parvati—making it one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India.