The eighth batch of pilgrims embarked on their spiritual journey to the sacred Amarnath cave shrine on Thursday morning, departing from the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam, marking another milestone in the ongoing annual Amarnath Yatra.
The 38-day pilgrimage, which began on July 3, will conclude on August 9, drawing thousands of devotees to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine nestled in the Himalayas of South Kashmir. The shrine is revered for the naturally formed ice stalagmite, believed by devotees to represent Lord Shiva’s lingam.
Devotees like Surender from Jaipur, on his third Amarnath Yatra, praised the arrangements and hospitality extended to pilgrims.
“This is my third visit… The management is very good, and people are very cooperative. I will pray for the well-being of everyone,” he told ANI.
Ambika, another pilgrim, expressed gratitude for the government’s support and said she would pray for peace and happiness during her visit.
To aid the smooth conduct of the Yatra, free langar (community kitchen) services are operating along the route, especially at the Jammu base camp and across various points on the National Highway. These kitchens offer food and refreshments to pilgrims without charge.
Virender Kumar Sharma, who has been running a langar for 17 years, shared, “We’ve been serving pilgrims for nearly two decades. This is a free service driven by devotion. People come from all over and support it voluntarily. We expect nothing in return.”
The Yatra is being conducted simultaneously via two routes:
- Pahalgam route (in Anantnag district)
- Baltal route (in Ganderbal district)
The sacred cave becomes accessible only during the summer months when the ice formation reaches its peak, making July and August the prime time for the pilgrimage.
With each passing batch, the spiritual momentum of the Amarnath Yatra continues to grow, embodying deep devotion and the collective spirit of service and faith.
