Record 1.3 lakh pilgrims visit Amarnath shrine in 5 days in Kashmir

The ongoing Amarnath yatra in South Kashmir on Tuesday recorded a record number of 1.13 lakh devotees visiting the cave temple at an altitude of around 3,888 meters in the first five days of the 57-day annual pilgrimage.

“More than 1.13 lakh devotees have performed so far darshan in the sacred cave. Our aim is to make this pilgrimage a truly unforgettable experience for everyone and to ensure that everyone has access to the best possible facilities. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the chairman of Shri Amarnath Temple Board of Directors, said, “Safety, security and hassle-free darshan of Baba Barfani must continue to be our top priority.”

More than 20,000 pilgrims paid obeisance at the shrine on Tuesday, officials said. This took the number of devotees visiting the shrine to 1.3 lakh, which is a record. The numbers are trending upward, a year after militants attacked tourists and killed around 26 civilians in Pahalgam, one of the twin routes in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The attack negatively affected the attendance of devotees last year. Only 3.5 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine in 2025 as against 5.12 lakh in 2024.

close coordination

Meanwhile, Mr. Sinha urged all stakeholders to work together in close coordination to make this year’s yatra truly historic and create a benchmark for spiritual tourism across the country.

“Such a collective effort could create a model that inspires similar pilgrimages across the country,” Mr. Sinha said.

He appealed to all devotees to immerse themselves in the spiritual bliss of this holy journey to the abode of Lord Shiva while experiencing the warmth of local hospitality and the richness of traditional arts and crafts of Jammu and Kashmir.

“By supporting and promoting local products, we can ensure that the pilgrimage is not only a profound spiritual experience but also a meaningful celebration of the local economy, culture and heritage,” Mr. Sinha said.

Meanwhile, the Lieutenant Governor instructed senior officials to ensure that devotees are properly registered and well supported by officers in the field.

“The yatra is a matter of great pride for us and is deeply intertwined with the aspirations and spiritual consciousness of our nation. It reflects India’s enduring civilizational heritage and showcases the country’s unique soft power to the world. This sacred yatra is a cherished tradition and also an integral part of our national identity,” the LG said.