The naturally formed ice Shivling at the Amarnath cave shrine has shrunk significantly since the beginning of this year's pilgrimage, with the sacred formation now measuring only about one foot in height, according to the latest visuals from the shrine. Despite the rapid melting, the annual Amarnath Yatra has witnessed a robust turnout, with more than 56,000 pilgrims offering prayers during the first three days—an increase of nearly 18.6 per cent over the corresponding period last year.

The 57-day pilgrimage commenced on July 3 and is scheduled to conclude on August 28 under tight security arrangements across Jammu and Kashmir.

According to photographs released by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on May 23, the naturally formed ice Shivling stood at nearly seven feet. By June 29, when the first puja of the pilgrimage was performed, the ice formation measured more than five feet.

However, the latest images released on July 6 indicate that the Shivling has reduced to approximately one foot, suggesting that nearly 90 per cent of the original ice formation has melted over the past several weeks.

Despite concerns over the shrinking Shivling, pilgrim enthusiasm has remained undiminished. Officials said over 56,000 devotees have visited the shrine during the first three days of the yatra, compared with 47,972 pilgrims during the same period in 2025.

Devotees continue to undertake the pilgrimage through both designated routes—the traditional 48-kilometre Nunwan–Pahalgam route and the shorter but steeper 14-kilometre Baltal route.

Authorities have deployed extensive security and medical support along both routes. Personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police's Mountain Rescue Team have been assisting pilgrims, including providing emergency oxygen support to those experiencing health complications at high altitudes.

Meanwhile, the pilgrimage recorded its first reported casualty after a devotee from Uttar Pradesh died following a snakebite at the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu.

The deceased, identified as Amit Kumar, was reportedly bitten around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday. Officials said he was immediately shifted to Government Medical College Hospital, where doctors later declared him dead despite treatment. Authorities have not announced any additional safety measures following the incident.

With the number of devotees rising steadily, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has advised pilgrims without prior registration to postpone their journey, stating that all available registration slots have already been booked until July 9.

Officials clarified that only pilgrims possessing valid registration will be permitted to proceed through the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. Those arriving without confirmed registration will be stopped at designated checkpoints and allowed to continue only after fresh slots become available.

The administration has appealed to devotees not to travel to the base camps without prior registration to avoid overcrowding and inconvenience.

The Amarnath Yatra remains one of Hinduism's most significant annual pilgrimages, attracting lakhs of devotees every year. The naturally formed ice Shivling, popularly known as Baba Barfani, is regarded as a sacred symbol of Lord Shiva and traditionally waxes and wanes with changing weather conditions inside the Himalayan cave shrine.

Even as the ice formation has reduced considerably this year, officials continue to report smooth conduct of the pilgrimage, supported by enhanced security, medical facilities and logistical arrangements aimed at ensuring the safe movement of pilgrims through the challenging mountain terrain.