SRINAGAR: The Amarnath Yatra continues its journey as a fresh batch of 1,181 Yatris departs from Jammu to Kashmir on Friday, August 4
Officials report that the Yatra is progressing smoothly, although there has been a slight decline in the number of pilgrim arrivals in the past few days.
Since its commencement on July 1, over four lakh devotees have participated in this year's Amarnath Yatra.
"Among the 1,181 Yatris leaving Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas today, 897 are male, 233 are female, 10 are children, 35 are Sadhus, and six are Sadhvis," officials confirmed.
As of now, six pilgrims have lost their lives since the Yatra's initiation on July 1.
Pilgrims approach the Himalayan cave shrine through two routes: the traditional south Kashmir Pahalgam route, a 43-kilometre uphill trek from Pahalgam base camp, or the north Kashmir Baltal base camp route, a 14-kilometre uphill trek.
Devotees taking the traditional Pahalgam route require 3-4 days to reach the cave shrine, while those using the Baltal route return to the base camp on the same day after having 'darshan' inside the cave shrine situated at an elevation of 3888 meters above sea-level.
Both routes offer helicopter services for Yatris.
The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that devotees believe symbolizes the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
The ice stalagmite structure wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon.
The 62-day long Amarnath Yatra, which began on July 1, will conclude on August 31, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival on Shravan Purnima.
To safeguard pilgrims from high altitude sickness, authorities have implemented a ban on all junk food at the free community kitchens known as 'langars' along both Yatra routes.
Banned items include all bottled drinks, halwai items, fried foods, and tobacco-based products.
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