Srinagar: The annual Amarnath Yatra has witnessed an overwhelming response from devotees, with more than 85,000 pilgrims offering prayers at the holy cave shrine in the first four days of the pilgrimage despite intermittent heavy rainfall.
According to officials, the yatra, which began on July 3, recorded its highest single-day turnout on Monday, when over 28,000 devotees had darshan at the cave shrine situated at an altitude of 3,880 metres.
After offering prayers, pilgrims returned safely to the Baltal base camp. Authorities said many devotees travelling via the Pahalgam route are opting to return through the Baltal route on the same day, as it is shorter and more convenient than returning to the Nunwan base camp via Pahalgam.
Pilgrim footfall has increased significantly at both the Baltal and Nunwan base camps, with thousands arriving daily from different parts of the country. To facilitate the yatra, authorities have made extensive arrangements, including accommodation, community kitchens (langars), medical facilities and other essential services.
Officials are also issuing regular weather updates through public address systems and advising pilgrims to follow safety guidelines in view of changing weather conditions.
A four-tier security arrangement has been put in place to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the pilgrimage. The Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have been deployed along the higher reaches of the route, while the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jammu and Kashmir Police are providing security at the base camps and along the pilgrimage routes.
