Srinagar, Jul 13 (KNO): The annual Amarnath Yatra is all set to cross the three-lakh pilgrim mark on Tuesday.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) 24,259 (twenty four thousand two hundred and fifty nine) pilgrims comprising of 17,076 men, 6,407 women, 295 children, 182 sadhus, 18 sadhvis, seven transgender pilgrims and 274 security personnel paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine on Monday, taking the total number of devotees who have performed darshan to 2,75,618 (two lakh seventy five thousand six hundred and eighteen)
An official said that the steady surge in pilgrim arrivals has also been seen at the Jammu base camp, where the daily number of yatris embarking on the journey has continued to rise.
The 12th batch of pilgrims departed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu during the early hours of Monday under multi-layer security arrangements.
According to details, from Base Camp Bhagwati Nagar Jammu, 7,754 pilgrims left for the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam in a convoy of 303 vehicles and arrived in Kashmir.
The Baltal-bound convoy, carrying 2,896 pilgrims in 133 vehicles, left at 2:44 a.m., while the Pahalgam-bound convoy, comprising 4,858 pilgrims in 170 vehicles, departed at 3:28 a.m.
The batch included 5,383 men, 2,071 women, 16 children, 222 sadhus, 58 sadhvis and four transgender pilgrims.
Officials said the sharp rise in pilgrim numbers is the outcome of sustained efforts by the administration and security agencies to provide a safe, smooth and hassle-free pilgrimage. Enhanced accommodation, transport, sanitation, medical facilities and round-the-clock security have significantly improved the overall experience for devotees.
Besides official measures, positive word-of-mouth from pilgrims has emerged as a major driving force behind the growing footfall. Devotees returning after darshan have been widely appreciating the arrangements, encouraging more people from across the country to undertake the pilgrimage.
"I had heard a lot about the improved arrangements this year, but after reaching here, I found everything even better than expected. From security to accommodation and medical facilities, everything is well managed. I will definitely encourage my family and friends to undertake the Amarnath Yatra because the entire experience has been peaceful, safe and spiritually fulfilling," a devotee from Maharashtra said.
Officials said the increasing number of registered pilgrims leaving Jammu every day, along with the heavy rush at on-the-spot registration counters, shows the growing enthusiasm for the Yatra.
They said that all arrangements are being continuously reviewed to ensure every pilgrim has a safe, comfortable and spiritually enriching experience—(KNO)