On the ninth day of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, as many as 18,010 pilgrims performed darshan at the holy cave shrine nestled in the Himalayas, taking the cumulative pilgrim count to over 1.63 lakh.
According to figures available with the news agency today's pilgrims included 12,838 males, 4,343 females, 223 children, 141 sadhus, 8 sadhvis, and 2 transgender devotees. 455 security personnel also had darshan at the shrine.

With this, the total number of pilgrims who have paid obeisance since the beginning of the yatra on July 3 has reached 1,63,726.

Officials said that the pilgrimage continues under a multi-tier security grid, with round-the-clock monitoring, medical support, and rescue teams in place to facilitate a safe and smooth yatra for the devotees.

"Transit camps play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth conduct of the Amarnath Yatra, especially during delays or road closures along the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway. Two such key facilities located at Mirbazar and Qazigund have been strategically established to provide essential overnight shelter to pilgrims. With a combined capacity to accommodate 5,000 yatris (2,600 beds at Mir Bazar and 2,400 at Walnut Factory Levdora), these camps serve as vital logistical hubs, offering rest, safety, and support amid the arduous journey to the holy cave shrine," an official told .

Furthermore, a fresh batch of 6,482 pilgrims left from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on Friday, heading towards the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam for the ongoing annual Amarnath Yatra.

According to official data, 2,353 pilgrims proceeded via the Baltal route, while 4,129 chose the traditional Pahalgam axis. The convoy, comprising a total of 268 vehicles, moved under a tight security cover. The fleet included 135 buses, 49 Medium Motor Vehicles (MMVs), and 84 Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs).

As per the figures shared by the authorities, the batch consisted of 4,838 male pilgrims, 1,387 females, 16 children, and 241 sadhus and sadhvis