Amarnath Yatra: Pilgrim Count Nears One Lakh Mark in Five Days

SRINAGAR: The Amarnath Yatra 2025 recorded its highest single-day turnout on Monday, with 23,857 pilgrims paying obeisance at the holy cave, taking the cumulative total to 93,336 devotees in the first five days of the pilgrimage.

Pilgrims included 17,257 males, 5,297 females, 341 children, 296 sadhus, 9 transgender devotees, and 625 personnel from the security forces.

Officials attributed the growing numbers to favourable weather conditions, streamlined arrangements, and coordinated support from the UT administration and security agencies.

The Yatra, which began on July 3, saw 12,348 pilgrims on Day 1 (Thursday), followed by 14,515 on Friday, 21,109 on Saturday, and 21,512 on Sunday. Monday’s turnout marked the highest so far.

Officials said the pilgrimage continues smoothly along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes under a multi-tier security cover, with all essential services, including medical aid, in place.

Meanwhile, the sixth batch of 8,605 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on Monday morning in what is the largest convoy of the season so far. The convoy was escorted under tight security and is 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. Of the total, 3,486 pilgrims chose the Baltal route, while 5,119 opted for the Pahalgam route.

A total of 372 vehicles were deployed 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; Pahalgam received 106 buses, 54 MMVs, and 46 LMVs.

If weather conditions remain favourable, the total number of pilgrims is expected to cross the one-lakh mark on Tuesday.

Officials also reported a rush at registration counters. To manage the crowd, authorities have increased the number of on-the-spot registration counters and raised the daily quota. Over 3,000 pilgrims arrived in Jammu on Monday to get registered.

More than 3.5 lakh devotees have registered online for the pilgrimage so far. The administration has set up 34 accommodation centres across Jammu and is issuing RFID tags to pilgrims. Twelve counters have been designated for on-the-spot registration.

Boarding and lodging arrangements have been made for over 50,000 pilgrims at various lodgement centres across the Jammu region, from Lakhanpur to Banihal.

A senior police officer said 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed for the Yatra’s security in Jammu division—30 more than previous years.

The 38-day annual pilgrimage began on July 3 and will conclude on August 9. (KNO)