Jammu, July 18, 2025: A fresh batch of 7,904 Amarnath Yatra pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu early Friday morning after the pilgrimage was temporarily halted for a day due to adverse weather conditions and highway safety concerns.

The yatra resumed under tight security and improved road conditions, allowing the movement of pilgrims towards the Holy Cave Shrine located at an altitude of 3,880 metres in South Kashmir Himalayas.

Pilgrim Count Crosses 1.09 Lakh

With this new group, a total of 1,09,461 pilgrims have departed from Jammu since the annual pilgrimage began on July 2, 2025, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha officially flagged off the first batch from the Union Territory’s winter capital.

Officials from the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) stated that the yatra is now progressing smoothly on both routes — Baltal in Ganderbal district and Pahalgam in Anantnag district — after being suspended on Thursday due to landslide-prone weather and traffic congestion near Ramban.

Route-Wise Movement and Security Measures

Among the 7,904 pilgrims who left on Friday morning:

• 5,235 pilgrims took the traditional Pahalgam route

• 2,669 opted for the shorter Baltal route

They travelled in a convoy of 291 vehicles, escorted by personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police under a three-tier security cover.

Security forces have deployed drones, bulletproof bunkers, sniffer dogs, and high-tech surveillance equipment along the route to ensure the safety of pilgrims. Local administration has also activated emergency response teams at vulnerable zones.

Weather Had Triggered Thursday's Suspension

The temporary halt on Thursday was a precautionary measure in light of intermittent rainfall and slippery conditions along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) — especially near the Ramban stretch, which is highly prone to landslides and falling debris.

The Meteorological Department has now predicted dry weather for the next 48 hours, enabling authorities to resume regulated movement of yatris to the base camps at Nunwan (Pahalgam) and Domail (Baltal).

Yatra Management and Facilities

This year, authorities have improved arrangements with:

• Upgraded medical camps at regular intervals

• Real-time tracking via RFID tags

• Helicopter services from Baltal and Pahalgam

• Online darshan registration and live updates through the SASB portal

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has set up more than 100 langars (free community kitchens) and shelter facilities to assist pilgrims during harsh terrain and unpredictable weather.

Spiritual Journey with High Participation

Despite the natural challenges, Amarnath Yatra continues to attract lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad. This year, over 2.8 lakh people have registered online, and the number is expected to rise further until the yatra concludes on Shravan Purnima (August 19, 2025) — coinciding with Raksha Bandhan, the day of the symbolic ice lingam's peak form inside the Holy Cave.

Pilgrims like Anita Mishra from Kanpur and Mohammed Yaseen from Hyderabad expressed their gratitude to the authorities. “This journey is tough but deeply spiritual. The facilities are better than ever before,” Mishra said while boarding her bus from Jammu.

Manoj Sinha Reviews Arrangements

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who oversees the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, recently conducted a mid-yatra review and said, “Pilgrims’ safety and convenience is our topmost priority. We are ensuring seamless coordination among departments to maintain the sanctity and discipline of the yatra.”

He added that the administration is working hard to ensure a “safe, smooth, and spiritually fulfilling journey” for every pilgrim.

Conclusion: Yatra Marches Forward with Devotion and Discipline

As the weather clears and roads are stabilized, the Amarnath Yatra is back on track, with thousands more devotees expected to leave in the coming days. The temporary halt hasn’t dampened the spirit of the faithful, many of whom travel hundreds of kilometres for this once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience.

The combined effort of state forces, central agencies, volunteers, and shrine board officials continues to uphold the tradition of this ancient pilgrimage that blends faith, resilience, and national unity.

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