News in frames | A sacred path of faith and community
OOne of the most physically demanding and spiritually significant Hindu pilgrimages in India, the Amarnath yatra is a living and breathing testament to Kashmir – the region’s unique ethos of syncretic culture, interfaith harmony and legendary hospitality. Every year, thousands of pilgrims brave the rugged Himalayan terrain and harsh weather to reach the Amarnath cave shrine, located at an altitude of about 13,000 feet in the Anantnag district of south Kashmir, which houses a naturally formed ice stalagmite worshiped by millions of Hindus as a manifestation of Lord Shiva.
This year, the 57-day pilgrimage began on July 3 and will end on August 28.
Devotees can take either the traditional 48 km Nunwan–Pahalgam route in Anantnag or the shorter 14 km Baltal route in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
For centuries, the smooth running of this arduous journey has depended on the close bond between the visiting devotees and the local community, the majority of whom are Muslims. Long before modern administrative infrastructure existed, local residents played a vital role in facilitating the pilgrimage. Each summer, braving unpredictable mountain weather, sudden downpours and oxygen-depleted altitudes, local pony owners, stretcher bearers, porters and tent operators help pilgrims navigate the challenging terrain.
They provide the necessary logistical support and often help or rescue stranded passengers. While the pilgrimage sustains the livelihood of many local families, it also develops a tradition of hospitality.
Locals welcome the pilgrims as honored guests and offer drinking water, walking sticks and warm cups of kahwa (a traditional variety of green tea) to the weary yatris along the route. In 2025, after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, around 4,10,000 pilgrims visited the cave, a drop of around 1,00,000 from the previous year. Inclement weather forced its premature end within about 35 days of that year.
Amid growing polarization elsewhere, the snow-covered trails of Amarnath become a space where different faiths actively coexist and support each other. The warmth, compassion and quiet acts of kindness extended by ordinary Kashmiris define the true spirit of the pilgrimage and send a powerful message of unity and enduring humanity to the rest of the world.
Photo: Imran Nissar
Collective call: Many people from different walks of life wait in queues amid tight security to register for the Baltal yatra.
Photo: Imran Nissar
Misty beginnings: Pilgrims gather early in the morning amidst the rain before starting their trek to the Amarnath cave shrine from the Baltal base on July 3.
Photo: Imran Nissar
Guarding: Security personnel have to keep vigil at Baltal base camp in Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Photo: Imran Nissar
Shared spirit: People with required documents in hand pose for a photo while waiting to register for the Amarnath yatra in Baltal.
Photo: Imran Nissar
The Long Climb: On ponies or walking with sticks in hand, devotees begin their arduous journey across the Himalayas to the cave shrine of Amarnath, located at an altitude of about 13,000 feet in Anantnag district.
Photo: Imran Nissar
Braving the elements: The season’s first batch of pilgrims pass by a waterfall on the 14-km Baltal Trail in Ganderbal, Kashmir.
Photo: Imran Nissar
Sharing warmth: A volunteer prepares a sweet meal for travelers at base camp.
Photo: Imran Nissar
Overcome: Cloaked devotees make their way up the mountain path towards the Shiva shrine despite the drizzle and unpredictable Himalayan weather.
Photo: Imran Nissar
Under the peaks: Aerial view of Baltal base camp.
Photo: Imran Nissar
Hope on Shoulders: Without the vital support of porters who carry heavy loads, many pilgrims would not be able to undertake the yatra.
Published – 12 Jul 2026 10:32 IST