Kashmir: The Amarnath Yatra saw a significant turnout on Wednesday, with over 19,000 devotees visiting the holy cave shrine despite rainy weather. The Yatra, now in its 12th day, continues to attract pilgrims to the sacred site nestled at 3,888 meters above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas.
Chanting “Bum Bum Bhole,” 19,631 Yatris made the pilgrimage on Wednesday, traveling from both the South Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) and North Kashmir Baltal base camps. Local residents are providing essential support, offering pony rides, porter services, and guiding the pilgrims along the challenging and often slippery mountain paths. Some locals are even assisting elderly devotees by carrying them on their backs.
Security measures are robust, with personnel stationed along the 48 km Pahalgam route and the 14 km Baltal-Cave shrine axis to ensure pilgrim safety. Around 150 community kitchens, operated by over 7,000 volunteers, are serving nutritious meals around the clock at various points, including transit camps in Manigam (Ganderbal district) and Mir Bazaar (Anantnag district).
