The surge of pilgrims continued unabated on Wednesday, bringing the total number of devotees participating in the Amarnath Yatra to over 3.31 lakh in just 20 days.

More than 3.31 lakh Yatris have received “darshan” inside the sacred cave sanctuary in the last 20 days since it started on July 3, according to officials.

Two escorted convoys of 118 vehicles carried 2,837 more Yatris out of Jammu city. At 3.25 a.m., the first convoy of 49 vehicles, including 1,036 pilgrims, departed for Baltal base camp. At 3:58 in the morning, the second guarded convoy of 69 cars carrying 1,801 Yatris to Pahalgam Base Camp departed, according to officials.

As more devotees arrive directly than in guarded convoys, the massive influx of yatris continues unabated. Yatris who arrive straight must register on the spot in order to enter the subterranean temple.

On July 10, the Bhumi Pujan of “Chhari Mubarak” (Lord Shiva’s Holy) was held in Pahalgam. A group of seers led by Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, the Chhari Mubarak’s only custodian, transported the object from its location in the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar to Pahalgam.

The Bhumi Pujan was held in the Gauri Shankar temple in Pahalgam, where the Chhari Mubarak was brought. After that, the Chhari Mubarak was returned to its location at the Dashnami Akhara structure. The Yatra will officially come to an end on August 9 when it arrives at the sacred cave shrine after making its last trek from the Dashnami Akhara temple in Srinagar on August 4.

Since the heinous incident on April 22, when terrorists backed by Pakistan massacred 26 civilians after separating them on religious grounds in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, the yatra is being held under stringent multi-tier security arrangements.

An additional 180 companies of CAPFs are deployed to augment the existing strength of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB and the local police. In order to ensure the pilgrims’ safe passage this year, the Army has sent out more than 8,000 elite commandos.

The yatra began on July 3 and will conclude on August 9, which is also Raksha Bandhan and Shravan Purnima, after 38 days. Yatris go either the shorter Baltal path or the more traditional Pahalgam way to reach the sacred cave shrine, which is located 3888 meters above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas.

To get to the cave shrine, those who choose the Pahalgam path walk 46 kilometers through Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni. To reach the cave shrine, a pilgrim must journey for four days. To get to the cave shrine by the shorter Baltal path, one must hike 14 km and return to the base camp the same day after receiving darshan.

For security concerns, Yatris will not have access to helicopter services this year.

An ice stalagmite structure inside the cave shrine waxes and wanes in accordance with the moon’s phases. The ice stalagmite structure, according to devotees, represents Lord Shiva’s legendary abilities.