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Why Amarnath Yatra is the toughest pilgrimages in India
Pilgrims on their way to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath at Baltal in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir. File image/PTI
Thousands of pilgrims from around the country embark on the Amarnath Yatra every year.
The Shri AmarnathJi Shrine Board (SASB) has said that the yatra will take place from July 3 to August 9 and have a daily cap of 15,000 pilgrims.
Pilgrims travel to the holy cave of Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, where a natural ice Shivling representing Lord Shiva forms every year.
Located 12,700 feet above sea level, the yatra is a test of pilgrims' physical, mental and spiritual strength.
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Pilgraims between the ages of 13 and 70 who have no significant heart, respiratory or other serious health issues can undertake the yatra.
Visitors can choose between two distinct paths to the cave – the ancient Pahalgam route, known for its extended journey and breathtaking scenery or the more demanding Baltal route from Sonmarg, which, while shorter, presents a steeper and faster ascent.
On April 22, 2025, five terrorists opened fire on tourists in Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, killing 26 civilians.
Due to this, the security has been beefed up in the region with nearly 50,000 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel deployed along with Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The Amarnath Yatra is considered to be the hardest pilgrimage in India.
But what makes it such a difficult undertaking?
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India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
Over 20,000 devotees conclude pilgrimage to Amarnath: J-K LG Manoj Sinha
Ganderbal (Maharashtra) [India], July 4 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said that over 20,000 devotees coming from different parts of the country have already finished their pilgrimage to Amarnath in the Ganderbal district. He said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are welcoming the devotees with 'open hearts'. LG Sinha apprised the reporters about the efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the Shrine Board in expanding their services for devotees. 'More than 20,000 devotees had 'darshan' of Baba Amarnath so far. They are coming from different parts of the country. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are welcoming them with an open heart. J-K administration, the government and the Shrine board have expanded their services to the people, and ONGC, under their CSR initiative, has built Yatri Niwas to help the devotees,' Sinha told reporters here. LG Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board Yatri Niwas in Baltal, Ganderbal district, and flagged off around 6,000 devotees for the Amarnath Yatra, marking the beginning of the pilgrimage. 'For the past two days, an unprecedented spiritual celebration has begun in Jammu and Kashmir. With the start of the Baba Amarnath Yatra, Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing a new energy...A huge crowd of devotees from across the country and abroad has thronged for this pilgrimage. On the morning of July 2, I had the privilege of flagging off around 6,000 devotees... I feel blessed to dedicate this pilgrim accommodation to the devotees of Baba,' Sinha said while addressing the gathering here. He also inaugurated the Disaster Management Complex at Baltal. On Wednesday, Sinha paid obeisance at Daati Maa Dev Sthan in the border village of Changiya, in the Arnia area of the Jammu region. Upon his visit, LG Sinha reiterated the Government of India's commitment to the inclusive development of the border area. 'The sacred Daati Maa Dev Sthan will be brought to the religious tourism map,' the LG said, adding, 'I also pray to Mata Daati for a safe and smooth pilgrimage for all the devotees of Shri Amarnath Ji.' This came after he flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the Shri Amarnath Yatra from Jammu, amidst multi-tier security. J-K LG Manoj Sinha lauded the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board for making excellent facilities for the Yatra. 'Jammu and Kashmir Police and security forces have also maintained tight security. Devotees from all over the country are here. The enthusiasm is very high. The devotees of Bholenath have neglected all the terror attacks and have reached in huge numbers. I am hopeful that this year's Yatra would be even better than the previous ones,' he said. (ANI)
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Over 20,000 pilgrims visit Amarnath shrine in first 2 days of Yatra: J-K LG Manoj Sinha
Over 20,000 pilgrims have had darshan of the naturally formed ice 'Shivling' in the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in the south Kashmir Himalayas during the first two days of the pilgrimage, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Friday. The LG said there is an atmosphere of celebration and enthusiasm across the entire Union Territory for the annual Amarnath Yatra . "Till now, according to the information, over 20,000 devotees of Baba have had darshan," Sinha told reporters after inaugurating the Yatri Niwas Complex at the Baltal base camp in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district. "Baba's devotees are coming here from various corners of the country, and the people of J-K are welcoming them with open hearts. The J-K government and the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) have improved the facilities for the yatris," he added. Sinha said some yatris, who have registration for future dates, have arrived ahead of schedule. Live Events "I request them to wait patiently. No one will be asked to leave, but priority will be given to those who have registrations for July 4 or 5," he said. The Yatri Niwas will accommodate 800 pilgrims and also includes a registration and security block. "Providing safe and adequate accommodation for all devotees is our top priority," the LG said. He also interacted with service providers and devotees at the base camp. "Pilgrims are feeling blessed and excited to be part of this journey of faith and tradition," Sinha said. PTI
Mint
3 hours ago
- Mint
Air India pilot collapses moments before flying Delhi-bound plane in Bengaluru, airline says ‘in hospital but stable'
An Air India Delhi-bound flight was delayed in the early hours of July 4 after the pilot collapsed shortly before take-off and was rushed to the hospital in Bengaluru, an Air India spokesperson said. Flight AI2414 from Bengaluru to Delhi was delayed and operated by another member of the airlines cockpit crew, the spokesperson said. The pilot is stable but is still under observation in the hospital, the spokesperson added. 'There was a medical emergency involving one of our pilots in the early hours of 04 July. As a result, the pilot was unable to operate the flight AI2414 from Bengaluru to Delhi, that he was rostered for, and was taken to a local hospital immediately,' the spokesperson said. A PTI report quoting sources said that the pilot was in the cockpit and was about to sign the mandatory documents – tech log – to accept the aircraft for flying when he collapsed there. 'He is currently stable but continues to be under the supervision of doctors at the same hospital. Consequently, AI2414 was delayed and operated by another member of our cockpit crew. Our immediate priority is to assist the pilot and his family to ensure his speedy recovery,' the statement added. Air India cancelled its New Delhi to Washington DC flight on Wednesday after a technical issue during a routine stopover in Vienna led to extended maintenance work, an airline spokesperson said. According to an ANI report, the onward Vienna-Washington segment was cancelled, and all passengers were disembarked in Vienna. The disruption also led to the cancellation of the return flight AI104 from Washington, DC to Delhi via Vienna. Air India stated that affected passengers have been rebooked on alternate services or offered full refunds, depending on their preferences. "Flight AI103 from Delhi to Washington, DC on 2 July 2025 made a planned fuel stop in Vienna. During routine aircraft checks, an extended maintenance task was identified, which required rectification before the next flight and, thus, additional time for completion," an airline spokesperson said in a statement. "Due to this, the Vienna to Washington, DC leg was cancelled, and passengers were disembarked. Passengers eligible for visa-free entry or those with valid Schengen visas were provided with hotel accommodations in Vienna until the next available flight. For those without entry permission, accommodations are being arranged, pending immigration and security clearances by Austrian authorities. Consequently, flight AI104 from Washington, DC, to Delhi via Vienna was also cancelled, and the affected passengers have been rebooked on alternative flights to Delhi or offered full refunds based on their preferences," the airline added. (With inputs from agencies)
