A fresh batch of 7,049 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on Sunday, July 13, 2025, early morning for the sacred Amarnath Yatra. This is the 12th convoy during the ongoing season.
With this, the number of devotees who have visited the holy Amarnath shrine has exceeded 1.8 lakh since the Yatra commenced on July 3.
Two Convoys, One Spiritual Journey
Authorities confirmed that the new batch comprised 1,423 women, 31 children, and 136 sadhus and sadhvis. The pilgrims departed in two convoys, each in the direction of the twin base camps at Nunwan-Pahalgam in Anantnag and Baltal in Ganderbal.
Out of the total pilgrims, 4,158 took the Pahalgam route, in 148 vehicles, and 2,891 took the Baltal route, in 138 vehicles. Both routes go to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine located in the Himalayas of south Kashmir.
Pilgrimage Goes On Under Tight Security
This year’s Amarnath Yatra runs under some of the most stringent security measures ever implemented. Armed officials are deployed on the highways and base camps, drones track pilgrims’ movements, and medical responders are on standby at various points along the route. Thousands of paramilitary and police personnel have been deployed by authorities to secure each part of the pilgrimage route.
All convoys travel in heavy escort, with checkpoints guaranteeing the protection of pilgrims from any source of danger. The additional security is in response to historical assaults and ongoing regional tensions.
Services and Facilitations for Devotees
In addition to safety, the government and Shri Amarnath Shrine Board have also focused on comfort and emergency readiness. There are makeshift shelters, sanitary facilities, food supply points, and medical posts along both routes.
To ensure that everyone has a seamless experience, security personnel are collaborating with volunteers and local employees. The administration continues to closely monitor the weather and crowd control measures as the busiest weeks of the Yatra approach.
Trust Rather Than Fear
Pilgrims remain unfazed by the hilly terrain and lingering security concerns. Often made with a deep devotion to Lord Shiva, pilgrims describe the trek as a call from above. For the majority, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with determination and faith.
As the 38-day annual pilgrimage moves towards its end on August 9, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, thousands more are likely to start their trek. With arrivals already surpassing expectations, the 2025 Amarnath Yatra can potentially turn out to be one of the most visited in recent times.
