JAMMU, July 4: The annual Shri Amarnath Yatra gathered momentum on Saturday as the third batch of 4,812 pilgrims departed from the Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu for the holy cave shrine in south Kashmir amid chants of “Bam Bam Bhole” and elaborate security arrangements.
Officials said the fresh batch of devotees left early in the morning in a convoy of 259 vehicles, including buses and private vehicles, for the Kashmir Valley to undertake the pilgrimage through the twin routes of Baltal and Pahalgam.
According to the officials, 2,041 pilgrims were headed for the Baltal route, the shorter but steeper track to the shrine, while 2,771 devotees opted for the traditional Pahalgam route, which is longer and passes through several designated halting points before reaching the cave shrine.
The convoy moved out from the Bhagwati Nagar-based Yatri Niwas amid a strong security cover, with police and paramilitary forces deployed to ensure the safe movement of pilgrims along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and onward to the base camps in Kashmir.
The departure of the third batch comes as the annual pilgrimage to the revered Amarnath cave shrine continues under heightened administrative and security preparedness. Authorities have made extensive arrangements this year to regulate pilgrim movement, strengthen emergency response systems and provide essential services to yatris undertaking the high-altitude journey.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from the Jammu base camp on Thursday, formally marking the start of this year’s Yatra. Since then, successive batches of devotees have been leaving Jammu each day to proceed towards the shrine, where the naturally formed ice Shivling is worshipped by thousands of pilgrims every year.
The administration has maintained a strict focus on safety and crowd regulation this year, especially in view of the terrain, weather uncertainties and the expected rush of pilgrims over the coming days. Security forces have been deployed in multiple layers, while convoy movement is being monitored closely to ensure smooth passage from Jammu to the Kashmir Valley.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has also issued an important advisory for devotees planning to undertake the pilgrimage. Officials said advance registration has been made mandatory for all pilgrims, and no yatri will be permitted to proceed without valid registration documents.
The advisory follows directions linked to regulation of daily pilgrim numbers on the Yatra route. The administration has capped the number of pilgrims allowed each day, in line with Supreme Court-mandated norms and safety protocols, to prevent overcrowding and ensure proper management of facilities along the route.
Officials have urged devotees to complete registration in advance and travel only as per the scheduled allotment to avoid inconvenience. The administration has also appealed to pilgrims to follow official instructions regarding movement, health precautions, accommodation and route discipline.
The Shri Amarnath Yatra is one of the most significant annual religious pilgrimages in the country, attracting devotees from across India. The cave shrine, located in the Himalayas of south Kashmir, houses the naturally formed ice lingam, which is regarded as a sacred manifestation of Lord Shiva.
As the pilgrimage progresses, the administration remains focused on balancing religious fervour with logistical discipline, ensuring that devotees can undertake the journey in a secure and organised manner. With more batches scheduled to leave Jammu in the coming days, the Yatra is expected to witness a steady flow of pilgrims throughout the season.