Influx of Devotees did not Stop Even in Bad Weather

July 15, 2026

India is a nation of faith. Devotees are willing to endure any hardship to visit their deity. The goal is to seek the blessings of their deity and, with their help, overcome the difficulties in life. Currently, three major sacred pilgrimages of Sanatan Dharma are underway: the Amarnath Yatra of Baba Barfani, the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, and the Mata Naina Devi Yatra. Devotees on all three pilgrimages have faced inclement weather in recent days. The sacred, self-formed ice lingam on the Amarnath Yatra has disappeared due to global warming, but the fervor of millions of pilgrims remains undiminished. They continue their journey with unwavering enthusiasm, regardless of any potential danger. The pilgrims’ first stop is Jammu. A tent city has been set up in Jammu to accommodate them. Recently, the weather deteriorated and an alert was issued, but a group of 9,153 pilgrims proceeded on the Amarnath Yatra from Jammu. The Amarnath Yatra, which was supposed to begin on July 3rd, had already begun on July 2nd. So far, more than 230,000 pilgrims have paid obeisance to Baba Barfani. Last year, when a brutal terrorist attack occurred in Pahalgam, forcing the Indian government to launch Operation Sindoor, 300,000 pilgrims embarked on the Amarnath Yatra, regardless of the danger. This year, this figure is expected to reach 400,000. Devotees also have immense devotion for the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. A landslide occurred recently, but the pilgrims’ footfall remained unstopped. Despite this, 18,000 pilgrims departed for the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine amid rain and dense fog. The pilgrimage was halted for a day or two due to the landslide, but the enthusiasm of the devotees was so strong that they wanted to visit the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine as soon as possible. The government had to reinstate the pilgrimage. The area of Mata Naina Devi Shrine has been experiencing heavy rain and inclement weather. However, the number of pilgrims remains unchanged. Millions of pilgrims from India and abroad visit these three sacred pilgrimage sites every year. Consequently, the economic condition of these areas has significantly improved. Furthermore, to increase tourism revenue, it’s crucial to ensure the safety of pilgrims. While the weather can’t be changed, it can be ensured that pilgrims receive adequate protection and shelter.