Amarnath Yatra crosses 1 lakh mark in 5 days

Baltal, July 3: The annual Amarnath Yatra has crossed the one lakh mark within five days of its commencement on June 29.

Officials said that 30,586 yatris paid obeisance at the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir on Wednesday, taking the total number of devotees to have performed ‘darshan’ of the naturally formed ice lingam to 1,05,282.

They said that a batch of 9800 yatris left for darshan from the Baltal base camp on Wednesday.

Officials said that a fresh batch of over 5700 yatris left for the Amarnath shrine from Jammu on Wednesday.

They said that a huge number of yatris availed the facility of on-spot registration at the counters at base camps established by the administration.

Officials said that the sixth batch of 5725 pilgrims left in 256 vehicles for the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam and were escorted by security vehicles.

“While 3211 yatris took the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route for their yatra, 2514 yatris chose the shorter but steep 14-km Baltal route,” they said.

Meanwhile, continuing its endeavour to assist the Amarnath Yatris, the J&K Police, SDRF, and Forest Protection Force personnel are seen assisting elderly people during their yatra.

These personnel are also providing first aid to the yatris if required.

Employees of the Forest Protection Force Department are also seen extending a helping hand to the needy yatris.