SRINAGAR, July 3 : The annual Amarnath Yatra began on Thursday as thousands of enthusiastic pilgrims set out from the twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan towards the holy Amarnath cave shrine located at an altitude of 3,880 metres in south Kashmir.
The yatra started early in the morning via two routes — the traditional 48-kilometre track from Nunwan in Pahalgam (Anantnag district) and the shorter 14-kilometre Baltal route in Sonamarg (Ganderbal district).
Devotees, including men, women, and sadhus, left the camps at first light, chanting “Bum Bum Bhole” in devotion to Lord Shiva. Officials from both camps flagged off the batches amid tight security and religious fervour.
A day earlier, on July 2, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first group of 5,892 pilgrims from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar base camp.The pilgrims received a warm welcome upon arriving in the Valley, where locals and officials greeted them with open arms.
The holy cave shrine is famous for the naturally formed ice-lingam, considered a sacred symbol of Lord Shiva.
Security forces, including Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, ITBP, and other paramilitary units, have been deployed in large numbers to ensure the yatra’s safe and smooth conduct. Aerial surveillance is also part of the multi-layered security plan.
This year’s Amarnath Yatra will last for 38 days and conclude on August 9.(KNS)
