Jammu/Srinagar, Jul 08 (KNO): The annual Amarnath Yatra is witnessing a huge surge in pilgrim turnout this year, with the number of devotees performing darshan in the first six days increasing by around 28 per cent compared to the previous year.
Official figures available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reveal that 1,42,861 pilgrims had performed darshan till 7:00 PM on Wednesday, against 1,11,975 during the first six days of the pilgrimage in 2025, which is an increase of 30,886 pilgrims, or around 28 per cent.
On Wednesday alone, 29,047 devotees paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine, including 18,362 men, 9,737 women, 404 children, 181 sadhus, 13 sadhvis, 11 transgender devotees and 339 security personnel.
Meanwhile, the pilgrimage also witnessed its largest-ever single-day departure from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu, with 9,837 pilgrims leaving in the seventh batch for the twin base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal.
Officials said that the batch departed in a convoy of 361 vehicles, including 188 vehicles carrying 5,337 pilgrims via the traditional Pahalgam route and 173 vehicles carrying 4,500 pilgrims via the Baltal route.
The batch comprised 6,684 men, 2,730 women, 21 children, 320 sadhus, 80 sadhvis and two transgender devotees.
A heavy rush of pilgrims was witnessed at the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas from the early hours of the day as devotees from different parts of the country assembled for the annual pilgrimage.
Amarnath ice Shivling shrinks significantly; devotees rush for early darshan
The naturally formed ice Shivling inside the holy Amarnath cave shrine has reduced noticeably compared to its size at the beginning of the Yatra. The development has led to a surge in the number of devotees keen to reach the cave shrine as early as possible.
The 57-day Yatra, which commenced on July 3, is being conducted under a multi-layered security arrangement with extensive logistical support from the administration, police, CAPFs, health services and other departments. The pilgrimage will conclude on August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan—(KNO)