Overview

• Over 342,000 pilgrims have completed darshan in the first 21 days and officials expect the 350,000 mark to be crossed today.
• Two escorted convoys left Jammu on Thursday with 45 vehicles carrying 832 pilgrims to Baltal and 95 vehicles carrying 2,668 pilgrims to Pahalgam.
• Security operations have been strengthened by 180 additional CAPF companies and more than 8,000 Army commandos deployed along both routes.
• Yatris trek on foot to the 3,888-metre cave shrine via the four-day, 46 km Pahalgam trail or the one-day, 14 km Baltal route without helicopter support.
• A group of nine foreign nationals from six countries joined the pilgrimage and praised its spiritual significance and local hospitality.