On Saturday, July 12, 2025, the 11th group of 6,639 pilgrims set off from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu. They are en route to the sacred Amarnath cave shrine, nestled in the south Kashmir Himalayas.
The convoy, which included 1,462 women, 41 children, and 181 sadhus and sadhvis, departed in the early hours under strict security. Pilgrims are heading to one of two base camps: Nunwan-Pahalgam in Anantnag or Baltal in Ganderbal.
Of the total, 4,302 pilgrims are traveling to the Pahalgam base camp in 159 vehicles, while the remaining 2,337 pilgrims are taking the Baltal route in 116 vehicles.
The 38-day annual pilgrimage began on July 3 and will conclude on August 9, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival. So far, over 1.65 lakh pilgrims have visited the shrine, which is known for its naturally formed Shivlingam.
