Authorities suspend pilgrimage a week early for urgent repair works on rain-hit tracks
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar,(DD): The annual Amarnath Yatra was officially suspended on Saturday — a week ahead of schedule — after continuous heavy rainfall rendered key trekking routes unsafe. Despite the early conclusion, over 4.14 lakh pilgrims successfully paid obeisance at the revered Amarnath cave shrine, situated at an altitude of 3,800 metres in the south Kashmir Himalayas.
On the final day alone, 6,497 devotees visited the holy cave, including 4,586 men, 1,299 women, 62 children, 51 sadhus, five sadhvis, and 494 security personnel, officials said.
Originally slated to end on 9 August (Raksha Bandhan), the 2025 Yatra was brought to a premature close on 2 August, following damage to the tracks caused by adverse weather. “Urgent repair and maintenance work is required along the route to ensure the safety of future visitors,” officials stated.
Last year, the Yatra saw a footfall of over 5.10 lakh pilgrims. While this year’s numbers were slightly lower, officials maintained that the pilgrimage proceeded smoothly up until the final week, with no major disruptions reported until the recent rainfall.
The Amarnath Yatra, a spiritual journey that symbolises faith, endurance, and unity, continues to draw lakhs of devotees each year — and this year was no exception, even amidst climatic challenges(DD)
