Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir): The annual Amarnath Yatra 2024 continued on day 13 along both axis of Pahalgam and Baltal peacefully amid tight security arrangements.
An official said on day 13th, 4627 pilgrims left from Jammu's Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu towards the Amarnath holy cave on Wednesday, July 10 early morning. He said that the batch 13th of 4627 yatris left for Valley in 185 vehicles on Wednesday morning to reach Pahalgam and Baltal in the Kashmir valley to perform rituals at the Amarnath cave shrine in the Kashmir Himalayas.
The yatris who left from Jammu on Wednesday early morning towards valley included 3422 men,1027 women, 26 children, 137 sadhus and 15 sadhvis. The yatris from Jammu to the Kashmir valley are escorted by the police and security forces. Of the yatris who left the Jammu base camp, 1854 yatris in 90 vehicles left for the cave shrine along the Baltal axis and 2773 pilgrims from Pahalgam axis in 95 vehicles respectively.
Scattered rain likely
The MET has predicted possibility of brief spell of rain/thundershower at scattered places of Jammu Division and isolated places of Kashmir Division on 9th to 10th July. During 11-13th July, a spell of light to moderate rain/thundershower at scattered to fairly widespread places is expected, the Met said adding heavy rain at isolated places of Jammu Division is expected on 12 July and during 14th-15th July brief spell of Rain/thundershower at isolated places cannot be ruled out.
The Amarnath cave is situated 3,888 metres above sea level and it can only be reached on foot or by pony. Located deep inside the Himalayas, the cave shrine can be accessed through the Anantnag-Pahalgam axis and the Ganderbal-Sonamarg-Baltal axis.
Most yatris take the Baltal route, a shorter 16 km trek from Baltal to the shrine along a steep, winding mountain trail. This route takes pilgrims 1-2 days.
The other is the Pahalgam route, which is approximately 36-48 km from the cave and takes 3-5 days to cover. While this is a longer journey, it is a littler easier and less steep.
The 52-day Amarnath Yatra started from 29 June and will continue till August 19.
