Over one lakh devotees have paid their respects at the holy Amarnath cave shrine in Kashmir Valley within the first six days of the 2025 pilgrimage, shattering all previous records. This extraordinary turnout comes despite the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which had initially cast a shadow of doubt over the safety of pilgrims.
The Amarnath Yatra, which began on July 3, has witnessed an unprecedented response from devotees. On the opening day alone, more than 12,000 pilgrims made their way to the sacred cave, and attendance continued to rise, peaking at an astonishing 23,857 visitors on Monday. As of July 8, authorities expect around 20,000 additional pilgrims to make their way to the shrine via the Nunwan-Pahalgam and Baltal routes, marking a historic crossing of the one lakh mark in just the first week of the Yatra.
Pilgrims have expressed their satisfaction with this year’s Yatra arrangements, praising both logistical support and security measures put in place by authorities. Many devotees have credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring a safe environment for Lord Shiva’s followers. “Terrorism can’t stop the faith of devotees,” a pilgrim said and added “They may kill ten, but ten thousand will stand here. We were and will be coming for pilgrimage again and again.”
As thousands gather at Pahalgam, Baltal, and Srinagar Pantha Chowk camps eagerly waiting for their turn to visit the holy cave temple, excitement fills the air. Devotees are grateful for the extraordinary arrangements made by the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, which have made this challenging pilgrimage significantly easier.
Following the April 22 attack, over 350,000 devotees had initially registered for this year’s Yatra. However, after the incident, there was a sharp decline in registrations, with only 85,000 agreeing to participate. Yet, witnessing the robust security measures and efficient arrangements has led to a surge in on-the-spot registrations. The resolve of devotees remains strong: “Terrorism can’t stop the faith of devotees,” they said.
A comprehensive three-tier security grid has been deployed, with over 581 additional companies stationed from Jammu to Kashmir to protect devotees. The Police, Army, BSF, CRPF, ITBP, and SSB are all actively involved in safeguarding the routes taken by pilgrims. Advanced technology, including AI-powered CCTV surveillance and RFID cards for real-time tracking of pilgrims and vehicles, has been implemented to ensure safety and prevent unauthorized movement.
The massive turnout in just the first week of the Yatra suggests that this year’s pilgrimage could potentially surpass last year’s record of 512,000 devotees. The final numbers are yet to be seen, as the Yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 9, 2025, spanning a total of 38 days.
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