The ongoing Amarnath yatra in south Kashmir on Tuesday registered a record number of 1.13 lakh devotees visiting the cave shrine, at an altitude of nearly 3,888 metres, in the first five days of the 57-day annual pilgrimage.

“So far, more than 1.13 lakh devotees have performed darshan at the holy cave. Our goal is to make this pilgrimage a truly memorable experience for everyone and they have access to the best possible amenities. Safety, security and hassle-free darshan of Baba Barfani must remain our top priority,” said Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.

Officials said over 20,000 pilgrims paid obeisance at the shrine on Tuesday. This pushed the number of devotees visiting the shrine to 1.3 lakh, which is a record. The numbers are showing an upward trend a year after militants attacked tourists at Pahalgam, one of the twin routes, in south Kashmir’s Anantnag and killed around 26 civilians. The attack negatively impacted the turnout of devotees last year. Only 3.5 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine in 2025 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 set a benchmark for spiritual tourism across the country.

“Such a collective effort can create a model that inspires similar pilgrimages nationwide,” said Mr. Sinha.

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

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

Meanwhile, the Lieutenant Governor directed the senior officials to ensure that devotees are properly registered and well-assisted by officers on the ground.

“The yatra is a matter of immense pride for us and is deeply intertwined with the aspirations and spiritual consciousness of our nation. It reflects India’s enduring civilisational 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,” said the L-G.