The seventh batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims departed from the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam on Wednesday, continuing the sacred journey to the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva in South Kashmir. Devotees expressed deep satisfaction with the arrangements and prayed for peace, prosperity, and the well-being of all.
Visuals from the base camp showed enthusiastic pilgrims beginning their spiritual trek through the scenic Himalayan terrain.
“The vibes here are very positive… I will pray for everyone’s good health. The arrangements are excellent,” said Deepa, a pilgrim from Bhopal.
Kamal, another devotee from Delhi, echoed similar sentiments, praising the overall organization of the Yatra.
Free langar (community kitchen) services continue to provide much-needed support to pilgrims, especially at the Jammu base camp and along the National Highway.
Virender Kumar Sharma, who has been managing a langar for the past 17 years, said: “This is a completely free service. Pilgrims donate out of devotion, but we expect nothing. We run this langar purely out of faith.”
First-time pilgrim Siddharth Agrawal appreciated the role of security forces amid recent incidents in the region.
“We feel safe because the CRPF and J-K Police are standing guard. Their dedication gives us the courage to undertake this journey. I salute them.”
The 38-day annual pilgrimage, which began on July 3 and will conclude on August 9 (coinciding with Raksha Bandhan), is proceeding via both the Pahalgam route (Anantnag district) and the Baltal route (Ganderbal district).
Thousands of devotees from across India participate in the Amarnath Yatra every year to witness the naturally formed ice stalagmite, believed to represent the Shiva Lingam. The ice formation reaches its peak in July and August, drawing pilgrims to the remote shrine nestled in the Himalayas.
Despite security challenges, the unwavering spirit of the devotees and seamless coordination between local authorities, volunteers, and security personnel continue to ensure the Yatra proceeds smoothly.