Amarnath Yatra 2025: First batch departs from Jammu; over 3.5 lakh pilgrims registered so far
Amarnath Yatra 2025: The annual Amarnath Yatra began on Wednesday with the first batch of pilgrims departing from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu. The convoy was flagged off by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha amid chants of “Har Har Mahadev” and “Bam Bam Bhole” by the devotees.
Although the official commencement date of the yatra is July 3, the symbolic departure marks the beginning of the 38-day pilgrimage, which will be conducted via both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes. The yatra will conclude on August 9, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.
Last year, the yatra lasted for 52 days, drawing around 5 lakh pilgrims. This year, over 3.5 lakh devotees have already registered for the sacred journey. To facilitate on-the-spot registration, centres have been established at Saraswati Dham, Vaishnavi Dham, Panchayat Bhawan, and Mahajan Sabha in Jammu, each processing approximately 2,000 registrations daily.
Route Details
Pahalgam route: A relatively easier trek taking three days to reach the holy cave. Starting from Pahalgam, the route passes through Chandanwari (16 km), Pissu Top, Sheshnag (9 km from Pissu Top), and Panchatarni (14 km from Sheshnag). The final stretch from Panchatarni to the Amarnath cave is 6 km.
Baltal route: A shorter yet steeper 14-km climb. It is preferred by those with time constraints but is not ideal for elderly pilgrims due to its sharp inclines, narrow paths, and challenging turns.
Important travel guidelines
Pilgrims are advised to carry essential documents, including a medical certificate, Aadhaar card, four passport-size photographs, RFID card, and the travel application form. Physical preparation is also important—walking 4 to 5 km daily, performing breathing exercises (like Pranayama), and building stamina is recommended.
Packing essentials, include woolen clothing, raincoats, trekking sticks, water bottles, and necessary medications.
- With inputs from agencies
