The annual Shri Amarnath Yatra will conclude today in Jammu and Kashmir, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan. The 57-day-long yatra began on July 3 this year. The culmination of the yatra is marked by the arrival of the holy mace, Chhari Mubarak, led by Mahant Deependra Giri, at the sacred cave shrine. Over 4.8 lakh devotees performed the pilgrimage this year across both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes.
During the yatra, pilgrims travel to the holy Amarnath Cave shrine, located at an altitude of nearly 3,888 metres, to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and witness the naturally formed ice Shivling. The annual Buddha Amarnath Yatra will also culminate today. During the 12-day-long yatra held in the month of Shravan, pilgrims travel to Baba Budha Amarnath Temple in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir to offer prayers. Located in Rajpura village in Mandi Tehsil of Poonch district, Baba Budha Amarnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
