Jammu, July 18: The 16th batch of 7,908 devotees left for the Kashmir Valley from Jammu today morning to undertake the Amarnath Yatra 2025 after it resumed after being suspended for a day.
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As per reports, the yatra resumed along both the Pahalgam and Ganderbal's Baltal routes amid tight security arrangements. Out of the 7,908 pilgrims, 5,029 went towards Pahalgam and 2,879 headed to Baltal. They traveled in a convoy of 261 vehicles, which included both light and heavy vehicles.
The holy Amarnath cave, located 3,888 meters above sea level in Jammu and Kashmir, draws thousands of devotees every year. Pilgrims reach the shrine by walking long distances—either along the traditional 48-kilometre Pahalgam route in South Kashmir or the shorter but steeper 14-kilometre Baltal route in North Kashmir.
It is worth noting that the Amarnath Yatra was temporarily stopped on Thursday because of bad weather, including heavy rain. However, the pilgrimage started again once the weather improved.
According to the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), around 2.51 lakh pilgrims have visited the holy Amarnath cave in the first 15 days since the Yatra began on July 3.
Officials said that by 2:00 pm on Thursday alone, 5,110 devotees had completed the darshan (visit to the shrine).
Due to continuous rain over the past two days, the Yatra was paused from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes on Thursday as a safety measure.
The Amarnath Yatra is a yearly pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath cave, where devotees pray to Lord Shiva. This year, the 38-day Yatra started on July 3 and will end on August 9.
