SRINAGAR, JAMMU/KASHMIR, August 26, 2023 (Asia News Network): The longest Amarnath Yatra 2023 is finally inching to a conclusion as sages are carrying Chhari Mubarak to the holy cave while no fresh batches of Yatris left for Kashmir from Jammu. So far, 440,000 pilgrims visited the Amarnath cave shrine this year. Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the last batch of Yatris left for the holy cave on August 23 and since then, the pilgrimage has remained suspended. Bhagwati Nagar base camp has been deserted for the past few days, forcing the operators to end their services. According to officials, it is likely that the counters there will be closed too. Over the last several years, Amarnath yatra has been witnessing fewer footfalls. Compared to over 600,000 pilgrims who visited the cave shrine in 2012, the number has come down to over 300,000 in 2022 and 440,000 this year.

The 62-day-long pilgrimage commenced on July 1 this year and will culminate with the event of Chhari Mubarak on August 31. The Chaddi Mubarak has to reach the holy cave on the 31st of August. The 90 mile Chhari Mubarak Yatra starts from Dashnami Akhara in Srinagar. On the yatra route, Chhari Mubarak will stay for a night halt at Chandanwari on August 28, Sheshnag on August 29, and Panchtarni on August 30. On August 31, on the occasion of Shravan-Punima, Chhari Mubarak will be taken to the holy shrine of Amarnath Ji to reach it before sunrise, and puja shall begin with the rising sun.

https://asianewsnetwork.net/amarnath-yatra-inches-closer-to-conclusion-4-40-lakh-pilgrims-visit-cave-shrine-so-far/