Amarnath Yatra 2025: Over 3.77 Lakh Pilgrims in 25 Days
Amarnath Yatra 2025 commenced on July 3 and will end after 38 days on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. The ongoing Amarnath Yatra 2025 has witnessed a significant turnout, with over 3.77 lakh pilgrims having completed the sacred journey since its commencement on July 3. On Monday, another group of 1,635 yatris departed from Jammu towards the Kashmir Valley to continue the pilgrimage.
- According to officials from the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), the traditional ‘Chhari Sthapana’ ceremony was recently performed at the Shri Amareshwar Temple, located within the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar.
- The upcoming ‘Chhari Pujan’ is scheduled for August 29, coinciding with Nag Panchami, and will also take place at the same temple. Meanwhile, the final ritual journey of the Chhari Mubarak is set to begin on August 4, heading toward the sacred Amarnath Cave Shrine.
- As per officials, today’s batch of pilgrims departed in two escorted convoys. The first convoy, comprising 17 vehicles, left at 3:25 a.m., carrying 374 devotees to the Baltal base camp. The second convoy, with 42 vehicles, transported 1,261 yatris to the Pahalgam base camp, departing at 4:00 a.m.
Authorities continue to ensure strict security and smooth arrangements to support the safe conduct of the pilgrimage.
Chhari Mubarak: Sacred Journey Marks the Spiritual Heart of Amarnath Yatra
Lord Shiva’s holy mace, the ‘Chhari Mubarak’, holds immense religious significance and is traditionally kept at the Amareshwar Temple inside the Dashnami Akhara Building, located in the Budshah Chowk area of Srinagar. The journey of the Chhari Mubarak serves as the spiritual timeline for the Amarnath Yatra, guiding the key events of the pilgrimage.
- The final journey of the Chhari Mubarak for Amarnath Yatra 2025 will commence on August 4 from its seat in Srinagar and will reach the holy Amarnath Cave Shrine on August 9, marking the official conclusion of the Yatra.
- Along the route, traditional pujas will be performed at various sacred locations including Pampore, Bijbehara, Mattan, and Pahalgam. This revered procession is accompanied by saints, seers, and pilgrims, as it makes its way to the sacred cave where the naturally formed ice lingam symbolizes the divine presence of Lord Shiva.
Amarnath Yatra 2025: Heightened Security and Sacred Journey Amidst Tensions
- In response to the tragic April 22 terrorist attack—in which 26 civilians were brutally killed by Pakistan-backed militants in Baisaran meadow, Pahalgam, after being targeted based on their faith—authorities have implemented extensive, multi-layered security arrangements for this year’s Amarnath Yatra.
- To strengthen the existing security grid of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and Jammu & Kashmir Police, an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed. In a major move, the Indian Army has stationed over 8,000 specially trained commandos to ensure the safe passage of pilgrims throughout the Yatra route.
- The Amarnath Yatra 2025 began on July 3 and will conclude on August 9, coinciding with the auspicious occasions of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. The pilgrimage leads devotees to the sacred Amarnath Cave Shrine, located at an altitude of 3,888 meters in the Kashmir Himalayas.
Pilgrims can undertake the journey through two main routes:
The Traditional Pahalgam Route: A longer, spiritually rich trek of 46 kilometers that takes pilgrims through Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni, typically taking four days to reach the shrine on foot.
The Shorter Baltal Route: A more direct but steeper path, covering 14 kilometers, often completed in a single day with a return to base camp after darshan.
These robust security measures and meticulously managed routes reflect the commitment to ensuring a safe, peaceful, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage for lakhs of devotees undertaking this holy journey to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. The Pahalgam route to the Amarnath Cave Shrine involves a challenging 46 km trek, typically taking four days to complete on foot. In contrast, the shorter Baltal route requires pilgrims to trek 14 km, allowing them to reach the shrine, have darshan, and return to the base camp on the same day.
Due to heightened security concerns, helicopter services have been suspended for this year’s Yatra. Pilgrims must now rely solely on foot or pony transport to reach the holy cave.
The Amarnath Cave is home to a naturally formed ice stalagmite, which grows and shrinks with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe that this sacred formation represents the divine powers of Lord Shiva, making it a powerful symbol of faith and spiritual devotion.
