Amarnath yatra concludes, footfall at 2.85 lakh

For the third year in a row, the annual Amarnath yatra has failed to cross the three-lakh mark, though the number of pilgrims has marginally increased to 2.85 lakh this year compared to last year's 2.60 lakh.

On Sunday, the annual Amarnath Yatra 2018 concluded with 2,85,006 pilgrims visiting the cave shrine in the last 60 days. Last year, around 2,60,003 pilgrims visited the cave shrine for the darshan of holy Shivlingum. During the 2016 agitation, the yatra figures had dipped considerably with only 2,20,490 visiting the cave shrine.

"When the valley was peaceful, the number of yatris had increased. However, when the situation deteriorated, the numbers dipped. This year, the security arrangements were good and the numbers went up slightly, but not by much," said Surinder Mohan Agarwal, president, Baba Amarnath and Budha Amarnath Yatri Niyas.

Situated in a narrow gorge at the altitude of 3,888 meters, the Amarnath cave is accessible from two routes in Kashmir Valley. The 46-km Pahalgam–trek is an ancient route that can be covered in five days. The new 14-kilometre Baltal-Holy cave route is now preferred by the pilgrims since journey can be completed in a day.