Amarnath Yatra 2025 Begins: Pilgrims Welcomed with Fervour, Security Tightened after Recent Attacks

The sacred Amarnath Yatra 2025 commenced today with thousands of enthusiastic devotees entering the Kashmir Valley, greeted by locals with garlands and placards in a display of traditional warmth and communal harmony. The first batch of 5,892 pilgrims, flagged off by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar base camp, was divided between the Nunwan base camp at Pahalgam (3,403 pilgrims) and the Baltal base camp (2,489 pilgrims).

 

This year’s 36-day pilgrimage, concluding on August 9, is marked by heightened security in the wake of the April Pahalgam terror attack. An unprecedented multi-tier security apparatus, including an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces, has been deployed. The movement of pilgrims is being monitored 24×7 through a high-tech Integrated Command and Control Centre, and an RFID-based tracking system ensures real-time safety and management.

 

The Yatra offers two routes: the traditional 46-km Pahalgam trek, taking 3–5 days, and the shorter, steeper 14-km Baltal route, suitable for the physically fit and those with time constraints. The pilgrimage is open to those aged 13 to 70, with strict health and documentation requirements in place.

 

This year, the journey is especially poignant, as many pilgrims see it as a tribute to victims of recent violence and a testament to their unwavering faith. The annual event, culminating at the sacred cave housing the naturally formed ice Shivling, continues to symbolize resilience, devotion, and unity.

 

Sources: DD News, The Indian Express, NDTV