Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, July 3, 2025: The annual Amarnath Yatra commenced on Thursday with the first batch of pilgrims setting off from the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam, Anantnag district, and the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district, heading toward the 3,880-meter-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas. The pilgrimage, which began under stringent security measures, follows a terrorist attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley on April 22, 2025, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. Despite the recent violence, devotees expressed enthusiasm and confidence in the arrangements, undeterred by security concerns.
A pilgrim from Bengal, part of the first batch departing from Pahalgam, shared their excitement, stating, “I am from Bengal. We are very happy. We have no fear. Our government is very good… Our Army is also very good. We have no reason to be afraid.” This sentiment was echoed by many, with pilgrims chanting “Bum Bum Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev” as they embarked on their spiritual journey.
The first batch, comprising 5,892 pilgrims, including 1,115 women, 31 children, and 16 transgender individuals, was flagged off by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on July 2, 2025. The pilgrims proceeded to the twin base camps in Kashmir via the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route and the shorter, steeper 14-km Baltal route. Over 12,300 devotees had darshan of the naturally formed ice Shivling in the holy cave on the first day, with more than 20,000 visiting the shrine within the first two days.
Security has been significantly bolstered this year, with 581 companies of Central Armed Police Forces, alongside Jammu and Kashmir Police, deployed along the routes. Drones, RFID tracking, and aerial surveillance are in place to ensure safety, particularly along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, a critical route for the pilgrimage. The administration’s efforts were praised by pilgrims, with one devotee noting, “The facilities are very good… Everything belongs to Bhole Baba. The arrangements are excellent.”
The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, chaired by LG Sinha, has enhanced infrastructure, including widened tracks, safety railings, and grid-powered lighting. A new Yatri Niwas Complex at Baltal, inaugurated by Sinha, can accommodate 800 pilgrims, with similar facilities under construction at other locations. Despite a 10% drop in registrations following the April attack, over 3.5 lakh devotees have registered for the 38-day pilgrimage, which will conclude on August 9, 2025.
Local communities have shown strong support, welcoming pilgrims with garlands and placards at Qazigund, signaling resilience against attempts to disrupt the yatra. BJP MLA Shagun Parihar emphasised, “The people of Jammu and Kashmir are not afraid of anyone now, and all the conspiracies of Pakistan will fail.” The pilgrimage continues smoothly, with the third batch of 6,411 pilgrims departing from Jammu on July 4, 2025.
