Over 32,000 devotees had ‘darshan’ inside the holy Amarnath cave in Kashmir over the past two days, as authorities urged unregistered pilgrims not to undertake the Yatra before registering because of the heavy rush of pilgrims. Reports said 20,145 yatris performed the Yatra by Saturday evening, while during the last two days 32,485 had ‘darshan’ since the pilgrimage started on July 3.
Weather along the two yatra routes remained dry and partially cloudy as the devotees moved smoothly along both tracks. Meanwhile, two pilgrims died near the holy cave during the last two days due to cardiac arrest. One pilgrim, namely Parvin Chhaganlal Parvan, son of Chhaganlal of Vibhapar, Jamnagar, Gujarat, fell unconscious at Kalimata point.
He was immediately rushed to the Medical Post at Lower holy cave by a team of the Joint Rescue Operation, but the doctors declared him dead. Another pilgrim, namely Arun Kumar, 52, son of Shiv Pal of Gali Number 3, New Bahadur Chand Colony, Hansi Road, Karnal, Haryana, suffered breathlessness on Saturday, and he too was rushed to the holy cave Medical Post, where doctors tried to revive him, but he passed away.
Reports said there is a huge rush of pilgrims in the yatra area, and thousands of Yatris are camping at Nunwan, Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Panchtarni and Baltal on their way to the holy cave. Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) and the UT administration have made elaborate arrangements for pilgrims en route for their smooth and hassle-free yatra.
Besides, the base hospitals at Nunwan and Baltal medical posts have been established on both tracks en route to the holy cave. Foolproof security arrangements have been put in place to deal with any untoward act. Reports said the pilgrims who performed darshan at the holy cave on Saturday have started their return journey towards their respective base camps.
Fourth batch of over 4,600 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas this morning in two escorted convoys for the two base camps. SANJY-2026 started on July 3 and will end on August 28, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.
Situated at an altitude of 3880 metres in the Kashmir Himalayas, the cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.