TBM Staff - Mumbai According to the information you provided, on the fifth day of the Amarnath Yatra yesterday, over 18,000 pilgrims paid their respects inside the holy cave. The pilgrimage is progressing smoothly from both the south Kashmir Pahalgam route and the north Kashmir Baltal route. On the following day, a batch of 6,554 pilgrims departed from Jammu to join the yatra in the Valley.
Pilgrims can approach the cave shrine from either the traditional Pahalgam route, which involves a 43 km uphill trek from the Pahalgam base camp, or the Baltal route in north Kashmir, which requires a 13 km uphill trek. Those using the Pahalgam route generally take 3-4 days to reach the cave shrine, while those using the Baltal route can return to the base camp on the same day after having darshan (worship) inside the cave.
To facilitate the pilgrimage, helicopter services are available on both routes, providing an alternative mode of transportation for pilgrims.
This year’s Amarnath Yatra began on July 1 and will continue until August 31, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima festival. As a precautionary measure against high altitude sickness, the authorities have prohibited the consumption of junk food at the free community kitchens, known as langars, set up along the pilgrimage routes. This step aims to ensure the well-being and safety of the pilgrims during their journey.
