Location: Nunwan Base Camp, Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir

The 38-day annual Amarnath Yatra, one of Hinduism’s most revered pilgrimages, continues with unwavering devotion as the eighth batch of devotees departed from Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday morning, July 10, 2025. Despite the shadow of a tragic terror attack earlier this year in Pahalgam, thousands of pilgrims are undertaking the arduous journey to the holy Amarnath cave shrine, situated at 3,880 meters in the South Kashmir Himalayas, to pay homage to the sacred ice lingam of Lord Shiva.

Eighth Batch Embarks on Spiritual Journey

The eighth batch of pilgrims set off from Nunwan base camp in Anantnag district, chanting “Bam Bam Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev,” reflecting their spiritual fervor and resilience. The group is part of the ongoing pilgrimage that began on July 3 and will conclude on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. Pilgrims expressed gratitude for the meticulous arrangements, with Surender, a devotee from Jaipur on his third Amarnath visit, praising the management: “This is my third visit… The management here is very good. People are cooperating with us a lot… I will pray for the well-being of everyone.” Ambika, another pilgrim, added, “The government has made very good arrangements… I will pray for peace and happiness.”

The pilgrimage proceeds via two routes: the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route, which takes four days through Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni, and the shorter, steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district, allowing same-day darshan. Over 1.11 lakh devotees have already had darshan at the holy cave in the first six days, with 7,579 pilgrims departing from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas on July 9, including 4,548 heading to Nunwan.

Security Measures Strengthened Post-Pahalgam Attack

The Amarnath Yatra 2025 is unfolding under heightened security following a tragic terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow, where Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 civilians. Despite this, devotees remain undeterred, expressing trust in the robust security arrangements. Authorities have deployed an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), alongside the Army, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and local police, ensuring multi-tier security across all transit camps and routes from Jammu to the cave shrine.

Pilgrims have voiced confidence in the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police. Siddharth Agrawal, a first-time pilgrim, said, “Despite recent incidents, the armed forces are working hard for us. We may not have had the courage to come here without their support. I salute the CRPF and J-K Police.” Surveillance drones, bomb squads, and strict ID verification for local service providers, such as ponywalas, further bolster safety measures.

In a powerful gesture of resilience, pilgrims deliberately chose to start their journey from Pahalgam to send a message against terrorism. A young woman at Nunwan base camp stated, “We are starting the Yatra from Pahalgam to give a strong reply to terrorists,” emphasizing that fear will not deter their faith.

Community Support and Facilities

The local community has extended heartfelt support, welcoming pilgrims with garlands and placards at entry points like the Navyug Tunnel in Qazigund, signaling solidarity after the Pahalgam attack. Free langar (community kitchen) services continue to sustain pilgrims, particularly at Jammu base camp and along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Virender Kumar Sharma, who has run a langar for 17 years, shared, “We have been running this langar for almost 17 years, and it’s a completely free service. People come from far-off places, and whoever comes here, they have devotion towards it.”

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated a new Yatri Niwas at Baltal base camp, equipped with a disaster management center, while facilities at Nunwan, Bijbehara, and Sidhra are nearing completion. These initiatives, part of ONGC’s CSR projects, include dormitories, sewage treatment plants, and solar-powered infrastructure to enhance pilgrim comfort.

Why the Amarnath Yatra Matters

The Amarnath Yatra is a profound spiritual journey to the cave shrine, where the naturally forming ice lingam, believed to symbolize Lord Shiva’s divine powers, waxes and wanes with the lunar cycle. According to legend, Lord Shiva revealed the secrets of immortality to Goddess Parvati in this cave, making it one of Hinduism’s holiest sites. Over 90,000 devotees completed darshan in the first five days, with 21,512 on July 6 alone, reflecting the pilgrimage’s enduring significance.

Despite past terror attacks, including incidents in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, and 2017, pilgrims remain steadfast, with many stating it would be a “privilege” to die on this sacred journey. The Yatra’s resilience, supported by robust security and local cooperation, underscores its role as a symbol of faith and unity.

How to Join the Amarnath Yatra

• Registration: Over 3.5 lakh devotees have registered online, with on-site registration available at Baltal and Nunwan.
• Routes: Choose between the 48-km Pahalgam route or the 14-km Baltal route. Helicopter services are unavailable this year due to security concerns.
• Key Dates: July 3–August 9, 2025.
• Travel: Pilgrims depart from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in escorted convoys to Nunwan or Baltal base camps.
• Safety Tips: Carry warm clothing, trek cautiously, and follow security guidelines. Medical aid and langar services are available en route.

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Follow BharatTone.com for real-time updates, pilgrim storiesLaura: You’re right, I can provide an SEO-optimized news post for the Amarnath Yatra 2025, focusing on the 8th batch of devotees departing from Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, amidst heightened security concerns following the April 22 terror attack in the region. Below is the article tailored for www.bharattone.com.

Amarnath Yatra 2025: 8th Batch Departs from Nunwan Base Camp Amid Tight Security

Date: July 10, 2025
Location: Nunwan Base Camp, Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir

The 38-day annual Amarnath Yatra, one of Hinduism’s most revered pilgrimages, continues with unwavering devotion as the eighth batch of devotees departed from Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday morning, July 10, 2025. Despite the shadow of a tragic terror attack earlier this year in Pahalgam, thousands of pilgrims are undertaking the arduous journey to the holy Amarnath cave shrine, situated at 3,880 meters in the South Kashmir Himalayas, to pay homage to the sacred ice lingam of Lord Shiva.

Eighth Batch Embarks on Spiritual Journey

The eighth batch of pilgrims set off from Nunwan base camp in Anantnag district, chanting “Bam Bam Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev,” reflecting their spiritual fervor and resilience. The group is part of the ongoing pilgrimage that began on July 3 and will conclude on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. Pilgrims expressed gratitude for the meticulous arrangements, with Surender, a devotee from Jaipur on his third Amarnath visit, praising the management: “This is my third visit… The management here is very good. People are cooperating with us a lot… I will pray for the well-being of everyone.” Ambika, another pilgrim, added, “The government has made very good arrangements… I will pray for peace and happiness.”

The pilgrimage proceeds via two routes: the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route, which takes four days through Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni, and the shorter, steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district, allowing same-day darshan. Over 1.11 lakh devotees have already had darshan at the holy cave in the first six days, with 7,579 pilgrims departing from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas on July 9, including 4,548 heading to Nunwan.

Security Measures Strengthened Post-Pahalgam Attack

The Amarnath Yatra 2025 is unfolding under heightened security following a tragic terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow, where Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 civilians. Despite this, devotees remain undeterred, expressing trust in the robust security arrangements. Authorities have deployed an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), alongside the Army, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and local police, ensuring multi-tier security across all transit camps and routes from Jammu to the cave shrine.

Pilgrims have voiced confidence in the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police. Siddharth Agrawal, a first-time pilgrim, said, “Despite recent incidents, the armed forces are working hard for us. We may not have had the courage to come here without their support. I salute the CRPF and J-K Police.” Surveillance drones, bomb squads, and strict ID verification for local service providers, such as ponywalas, further bolster safety measures.

In a powerful gesture of resilience, pilgrims deliberately chose to start their journey from Pahalgam to send a message against terrorism. A young woman at Nunwan base camp stated, “We are starting the Yatra from Pahalgam to give a strong reply to terrorists,” emphasizing that fear will not deter their faith.

Community Support and Facilities

The local community has extended heartfelt support, welcoming pilgrims with garlands and placards at entry points like the Navyug Tunnel in Qazigund, signaling solidarity after the Pahalgam attack. Free langar (community kitchen) services continue to sustain pilgrims, particularly at Jammu base camp and along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Virender Kumar Sharma, who has run a langar for 17 years, shared, “We have been running this langar for almost 17 years, and it’s a completely free service. People come from far-off places, and whoever comes here, they have devotion towards it.”

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated a new Yatri Niwas at Baltal base camp, equipped with a disaster management center, while facilities at Nunwan, Bijbehara, and Sidhra are nearing completion. These initiatives, part of ONGC’s CSR projects, include dormitories, sewage treatment plants, and solar-powered infrastructure to enhance pilgrim comfort.

Why the Amarnath Yatra Matters

The Amarnath Yatra is a profound spiritual journey to the cave shrine, where the naturally forming ice lingam, believed to symbolize Lord Shiva’s divine powers, waxes and wanes with the lunar cycle. According to legend, Lord Shiva revealed the secrets of immortality to Goddess Parvati in this cave, making it one of Hinduism’s holiest sites. Over 90,000 devotees completed darshan in the first five days, with 21,512 on July 6 alone, reflecting the pilgrimage’s enduring significance.

Despite past terror attacks, including incidents in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, and 2017, pilgrims remain steadfast, with many stating it would be a “privilege” to die on this sacred journey. The Yatra’s resilience, supported by robust security and local cooperation, underscores its role as a symbol of faith and unity.

How to Join the Amarnath Yatra

• Registration: Over 3.5 lakh devotees have registered online, with on-site registration available at Baltal and Nunwan.
• Routes: Choose between the 48-km Pahalgam route or the 14-km Baltal route. Helicopter services are unavailable this year due to security concerns.
• Key Dates: July 3–August 9, 2025.
• Travel: Pilgrims depart from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in escorted convoys to Nunwan or Baltal base camps.
• Safety Tips: Carry warm clothing, trek cautiously, and follow security guidelines. Medical aid and langar services are available en route.

Stay Updated with BharatTone

Follow BharatTone.com for real-time updates, pilgrim testimonials, and in-depth coverage of the Amarnath Yatra 2025. Get the latest news, route details, and safety tips to plan your spiritual journey to the holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji!

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