Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Aug 9
The annual Amarnath Yatra has grown from an estimated 4000 yatris in 1963 to more than 6 lakh in its strongest years, reflecting a dramatic expansion over more than six decades, data compiled by Kashmir Weather showed.
The yatra recorded its highest annual footfall in the supplied series in 2011, when 6,35,611 yatris undertook the journey.
The lowest recorded figure was 4824 in 1990.
The data, shared by Kashmir Weather on X, was compiled from Ministry of Home Affairs records, parliamentary reports, Department of Tourism documents, CRPF annual reports and research papers.
Yatri numbers increased sharply during the 1980s, rising from 19,578 in 1980 to 96,055 in 1988 and 95,238 in 1989.
They then fell dramatically to 4,824 in 1990 amid the peak of armed violence in the region.
The yatra began recovering in the early 1990s, with 15,589 yatris in 1991, 54,638 in 1992, 56,000 in 1993 and 61,045 in 1995.
The number crossed 100,000 in 1996, when 120,432 yatris undertook the journey. It rose further to 149,920 in 1998 and 173,334 in 2000.
Growth accelerated in the following decade.
Footfall crossed 4 lakh in 2004 and stood at 533,368 in 2008.
After declining to 392,653 in 2009, it rose to 458,046 in 2010 before reaching the 2011 peak of 635,611.
The yatra remained above 600,000 in 2012, when 621,145 yatris were recorded, before falling to 220,490 in 2016.
Numbers subsequently recovered, reaching 342,883 in 2019.
The yatra was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It resumed in 2022 with 365,721 yatris, followed by 445,338 in 2023, and 512,150 in 2024. The 2025 figure was 414,311.
About 480,000 yatris had undertaken the pilgrimage in 2026 before it was suspended on August 9 on both the Chandanwari and Baltal routes because of persistent heavy rain and damage to vulnerable sections of the tracks.
The yatra began on July 3 and had been scheduled to conclude on August 28.
Officials said the yatra was unlikely to resume this year because of safety concerns, adverse weather forecasts and the need for urgent repairs to the tracks.
The Chadi Mubarak ritual will proceed as scheduled, officials said, but the main yatra is not expected to resume.
Year-wise figures supplied for Amarnath Yatra
1963: 4,000 estimated
1980: 19,578
1981: 26,000 estimated
1982: 25,000 estimated
1983: 21,021
1984: 9,483
1985: 42,000 estimated
1986: 51,000 estimated
1987: 52,000 estimated
1988: 96,055
1989: 95,238
1990: 4,824
1991: 15,589
1992: 54,638
1993: 56,000 estimated
1994: 37,000 estimated
1995: 61,045
1996: 120,432
1997: 79,035
1998: 149,920
1999: 114,366
2000: 173,334
2001: 119,037
2002: 110,793
2003: 153,314
2004: 400,000 estimated
2005: 388,000 estimated
2006: 347,000 estimated
2007: 296,656
2008: 533,368
2009: 392,653
2010: 458,046
2011: 635,611
2012: 621,145
2013: 353,969
2014: 372,909
2015: 352,771
2016: 220,490
2017: 260,003
2018: 285,006
2019: 342,883
2020: Yatra cancelled due to COVID-19
2021: Yatra cancelled due to COVID-19
2022: 365,721
2023: 445,338
2024: 512,150
2025: 414,311
2026: 480,000 estimated
