Amarnath Shrine Receives Massive Surge in Pilgrim Donations — Know the Full Details

Published On: October 6, 2025

Annual Amarnath Yatra To Start In Jammu And Kashmir From July 3

The holy Amarnath Shrine in South Kashmir has witnessed a remarkable increase in donations since the annual pilgrimage resumed following the COVID-19 lockdowns. According to official figures released by the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), contributions from devotees have skyrocketed nearly 100 times between 2020 and 2025, highlighting the deep devotion and faith of pilgrims across India.

Data from the SASB revealed that cash donations and offerings at the sacred 3,880-metre-high cave shrine surged from ₹9.23 lakh in 2020-21 to an astonishing ₹9.75 crore in 2025-26. The offerings even peaked in 2024-25 at over ₹11.58 crore, slightly higher than the ₹11.15 crore collected in 2023-24.

This unprecedented growth marks a clear sign of revived faith and enthusiasm among devotees returning to the pilgrimage after two years of restrictions due to the pandemic.

Pilgrim Footfall Boosts Shrine Revenue

The Amarnath Yatra, one of India’s most revered spiritual journeys, saw a significant rise in the number of devotees after restrictions were lifted.

In 2022, over 3 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine.
The number increased to 4.5 lakh in 2023 and 5.1 lakh in 2024.
Despite bad weather conditions, 4.1 lakh pilgrims still made the sacred journey in 2025.

The 2025 Amarnath Yatra, which began on July 3, had to be curtailed a week before its scheduled conclusion due to damage caused by heavy rainfall along the tracks. Yet, the enthusiasm of devotees remained unwavering, with thousands contributing to the shrine’s offerings both in cash and online.

Traditional Routes Continue to Attract Pilgrims

The holy Amarnath Cave, famous for housing the naturally formed ice Shivlingam, can be reached through two major routes:

The 48-km Pahalgam route in Anantnag district — a traditional and scenic path.
The 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district — shorter but steeper, preferred by those seeking a quicker trek.

Every year, during the months of July and August, these routes witness an influx of devotees from all corners of India, symbolizing unity in faith and cultural devotion.

Detailed Donation Data from SASB

The breakdown of annual cash donations and offerings received at the Amarnath Shrine is as follows:

2020-21: ₹9.23 lakh
2021-22: ₹12.29 lakh
2022-23: ₹9.14 crore
2023-24: ₹11.16 crore
2024-25: ₹11.59 crore
2025-26: ₹9.75 crore

This consistent pattern underscores a strong recovery and growing contribution trend after the pandemic lull.

Shift from Online Donations Back to Cash Offerings

Interestingly, while digital donations surged during the COVID period, recent data shows a sharp return to traditional cash offerings.
Online donations recorded by SASB include:

₹77.09 lakh (2020-21)
₹1.46 crore (2021-22)
₹2.39 crore (2022-23)
₹1.55 crore (2023-24)
₹1.89 crore (2024-25)
₹80.64 lakh (2025-26)

This shift highlights the preference of pilgrims for in-person offerings during their physical visits to the sacred site, reaffirming the cultural and emotional connection associated with on-site donations.

Registration Fees Witness a Manifold Increase

Alongside donations, the registration fee collected from pilgrims has also surged significantly, indicating improved participation and organization in the post-pandemic era.

2020-21 & 2021-22: ₹0.12 lakh
2022-23: ₹4 crore
2023-24: ₹5.56 crore
2024-25: ₹5.35 crore
2025-26: ₹7.71 crore

Officials attribute this rise to enhanced infrastructure, better facilities, and the growing confidence of devotees in the management of the Amarnath Yatra.

The Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board has reportedly focused on strengthening facilities along the Yatra routes. From medical camps to security arrangements, every aspect of the pilgrimage has been improved to ensure a smoother and safer journey for devotees.

The introduction of advanced registration systems, better accommodation, and weather monitoring measures has made the pilgrimage more organized than ever before.

While the SASB has released detailed statistics on cash and online donations, it has refrained from specifying the amount or type of high-value offerings such as gold, silver, jewellery, or precious stones. In response to inquiries regarding these donations, the board simply stated the data as “Not Available (NA)”.

RTI Revelation by Jammu-Based Activist

The detailed donation figures were disclosed by the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board in response to an RTI application filed by Jammu-based activist Raman Sharma. His query shed light on how the shrine’s finances have evolved dramatically over the past five years, showcasing a resurgence in faith and participation post-pandemic.

The extraordinary surge in donations to the Amarnath Shrine reflects the unwavering faith of millions of devotees who see the pilgrimage not just as a spiritual journey, but as an act of deep devotion and service.

As the numbers continue to rise, the shrine stands as a testament to the enduring belief that even in the aftermath of global challenges, faith finds its way back stronger than ever.