By: Umaisar Gull Ganie
Pahalgam, Jul 07: With the Amarnath Yatra 2025 gaining momentum, the pilgrimage witnessed its busiest day on Monday as 23,857 devotees paid obeisance at the Holy Cave.
This record-breaking single-day figure pushed the overall count of pilgrims to 93,336 since the Yatra commenced.
Pilgrims who paid obeisance today included 17,257 males, 5,297 females, 341 children, 296 sadhus, 9 transgender devotees, and 625 personnel from security forces.
The surge in numbers, according to the officials, was aided by favourable weather, efficient arrangements, and enhanced logistical support from UT administration, and security agencies.
On Monday — the highest single-day turnout so far.
The pilgrimage began with 12,348 yatris paying obeisance on the first day (Thursday), followed by 14,515 on Friday, 21,109 on Saturday, 21,512 on Sunday, and with 23,857 pilgrims today.
Officials said that the Yatra continues to run smoothly along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes, under a multi-tier security cover with all essential services, including medical assistance.
Meanwhile, the sixth batch of 8,605 pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu early Monday morning. The convoy, the largest of the season so far, was escorted under tight security and headed to the twin base camps at Baltal (Ganderbal) and Pahalgam (Anantnag).
The group included 6,486 male pilgrims, 1,826 females, 42 children, 216 sadhus, and 35 sadhvis. Route-wise, 3,486 pilgrims chose Baltal while 5,119 took the Pahalgam route.
A total of 372 vehicles were pressed into service for the batch — 179 buses, 81 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), and 112 light motor vehicles (LMVs). Baltal received 73 buses, 27 MMVs, and 66 LMVs, whereas the Pahalgam route had 106 buses, 54 MMVs, and 46 LMVs — marking the most extensive convoy deployment of the Yatra so far.
If the weather remains favorable, the number of pilgrims paying obeisance at the holy cave is all set to cross one lakh on Tuesday.
According to the officials there is a huge rush at the counters for on-the-spot registration, with authorities increasing the number of counters as well as the daily quota to ease the rush. Over 3,000 devotees arrived in Jammu from various parts of the country to get themselves registered.
Pertinently, more than 3.5 lakh people have registered online for the pilgrimage so far. Thirty-four accommodation centres have been set up across Jammu, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are being issued to the pilgrims. Twelve counters have been set up for on-the-spot registration.
Arrangements have been put in place to provide boarding and lodging facilities for more than 50,000 people at various lodgement centres across the Jammu region, from Lakhanpur to Banihal, officials said.
A total of 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), which is 30 more than previous years, have been deployed for the security of the annual Amarnath Yatra in Jammu division this year, a senior police officer said.
The 38-day pilgrimage, which commenced on July 3 will conclude on August 9. (KNO)
Amarnath Yatra: Darshan crosses 93,000-mark, 1 lakh soon
