Amarnath Yatra 2025 Sees Massive Turnout: Over 3.21 Lakh Pilgrims Complete Darshan Amid Tight Security
Officials said, 'A fresh batch of 3,536 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu today in two escorted convoys for the Valley. The first convoy of 48 vehicles carrying 1,250 Yatris left at 3.33 a.m. for Baltal base camp, while the second convoy of 84 vehicles carrying 2,286 Yatris left at 4.06 a.m. for Pahalgam base camp."
'There is a huge rush of yatris as thousands of pilgrims daily report from different parts of the country at twin base camps to undertake the Yatra,' the officials said.
Bhumi Pujan of 'Chhari Mubarak' (Lord Shiva's Holy) was performed at Pahalgam on July 10. The Chhari Mubarak was taken to Pahalgam by a group of seers led by the sole custodian of the Chhari Mubarak, Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, from its seat at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar to Pahalgam. In Pahalgam, the Chhari Mubarak was taken to the Gauri Shankar temple, where the Bhumi Pujan was held.
The Chhari Mubarak was then taken back to its seat at the Dashnami Akhara building. It will start its final journey towards the cave shrine from Dashnami Akhara temple in Srinagar on August 4 and will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9, marking the official conclusion of the Yatra.
Authorities have made extensive multi-tier security arrangements for this year's Amarnath Yatra, as this takes place after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them based on faith in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam.
Additional 180 companies of CAPFs have been brought in to augment the existing strength of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB and the local police. The Army has deployed over 8,000 special commandos to secure the passage of the pilgrims this year.
Yatra started on July 3 and will end after 38 days on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
Yatris approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route. Those using the Pahalgam route pass through Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the cave shrine, covering a distance of 46 km on foot. This trek takes a pilgrim four days to get to the cave shrine. And, those using the shorter Baltal route have to trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine and return to the base camp the same day after having darshan.
No helicopter services are available to Yatris this year due to security reasons.
The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Arms seized from ISI-backed gang in Punjab
Arms seized from ISI-backed gang in Punjab AMRITSAR: Amritsar Police intercepted a cache of arms and ammunition and arrested five persons on Sunday. SSP, Amritsar-rural, Maninder Singh, said police have dismantled a major trans-border smuggling network of sophisticated arms and drug money, operated by Pakistan's ISI-backed handlers. Among the seizures are an AK Saiga rifle with two magazines, two Glock 9mm pistols with four magazines, 100 rounds of ammo, and Rs 7.5 lakh in drug money, apart from a car and three mobile phones, police said. The intercepted consignment was intended to be delivered to Nav Pandori, a known associate of gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, indicating a broader terror-gangster nexus, police said. Those arrested have been identified as Jobanjit Singh alias Joban, Gora Singh, Shenshan alias Shahu, Sunny Singh alias Gana, and Jaspreet Singh alias Motu. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused had direct links to Pakistan-based operatives, said the SSP.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Indus Water Treaty Favoured Pakistan, Left India With Little Share: Lt Gen Vinod Khandare
Nagpur: Retired Lieutenant General Vinod Khandare, former Principal Advisor to the Union Ministry of Defence during Operation Sindoor , has termed the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 as "unfair and biased towards Pakistan ." Speaking at a Jansamvaad event organised by Janmanch NGO, Khandare stated that the political leadership of the time gave away significant control over India's river resources, leaving the country with a disproportionately small share of the Indus waters. "The Indus River, originating from the Himalayas, carries a large amount of silt and sludge that used to accumulate in our dams," he said. "We wanted to de-silt it for efficiency, but were told the treaty doesn't permit us. Despite this, we cleaned the river." Khandare pointed out that the river flows from Indian states like Punjab and Haryana into Pakistan's Punjab, significantly boosting their agriculture. "They reaped harvests, earned revenue, and used that very money to fund terrorism against us," he said, underscoring the strategic imbalance the treaty has created. He added that all that changed in 2016, after a team of experts were appointed to asses and review the pact. General Khandare also raised alarms over China's covert meteorological manipulation program. According to him, China's Department of Weather Modification, with over 37,000 personnel, has been closely studying Indian monsoon patterns. "We discovered one of their meteorological sensors in the Bay of Bengal," he revealed, adding that China intends to redirect rain clouds meant for the Indian subcontinent towards Tibet and Sichuan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Search & compare rates from major search-engines, along with local, reputable engines. Hotel Deals | Search Ads Browse Now Undo The motive, he said, is to support Beijing's industrial shift from its eastern coastal belt to inland provinces. Touching upon India's evolving defence posture, Khandare highlighted Operation Sindoor as a turning point. "The military had full operational control without political interference, which enabled decisive surgical strikes and air operations like the one at Jabbar Top," he said. The operation targeted terrorist launchpads and training facilities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, sending a strong message that no safe havens would be tolerated. Cyber warfare, he warned, is the new front. "Smartphones can now be weaponised. Cyberattacks, like the one that paralysed Estonia in 2008, can happen here too." He called for urgent investment in cyber resilience and civil defence, citing India's inadequate infrastructure—no public sirens in cities like Nagpur, and lack of shelters in urban areas, unlike Europe or Israel. "India's civil defence infrastructure remains alarmingly inadequate in the face of growing conventional and unconventional threats. Unlike countries like Israel, where every building has a shelter, or Europe, where metros are built underground for protection, Indian cities are ill-equipped. Nagpur, for example, lacks even basic sirens," Khandare said. General Vinod Khandare pointed out that while our armed forces may be battle-ready, the country lacks systems to protect its citizens in times of crisis or war. He further stressed the need for reforms in India's defence production. "With 41 ordnance factories underperforming, joint ventures and privatisation are no longer optional—they are essential," Khandare concluded by stating that only a self-reliant, strategically alert, and technologically equipped India can deter the evolving threats in a turbulent global order.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
CRPF personnel made a mark by their duty, courage, says PM on Raising Day
NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Sunday complimented the CRPF for playing a vital role in the national security apparatus, especially in challenging aspects relating to internal security. Wishing CRPF personnel on the force's 87th Raising Day, Prime Minister Modi on X said, "CRPF personnel have made a mark for their duty, courage and steadfast commitment in the most testing of situations." Home minister Amit Shah, in a message to CRPF on X, said, "Your selfless sacrifice has been the backbone of our nation's security and your unwavering courage to end Naxalism is truly commendable". Home secretary Govind Mohan, while addressing CRPF Raising Day celebrations here, assured the force of the ministry of home affairs' commitment to arming it with modern weapons and latest technology to meet the increasing security challenges India faces. The secretary emphasised that the MHA would deploy technology to minimise the risk of injury in risky operations. "In the coming days, we will have drones that can see through thick foliage in the mountains etc, weapons that can be fired from a safe range and technology to remotely detect and defuse IEDs," he said. Personnel who lose a limb in operations would be retained in the force, possibly in an alternative role, and limb replacement facilitated wherever there is scope, he said at the event with CRPF DG G P Singh by his side. Mohan underlined that the MHA was working with CRPF to ensure that personnel, particularly women, have access to all basic facilities in camps set up in operational areas. tnn
