In Jammu and Kashmir, a total of 12,168 pilgrims paid obeisance at the Holy Cave Shrine on the opening day of the annual Amarnath Yatra yesterday, as the pilgrimage began from the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam.
The Yatra commenced in the early hours from both the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route and the shorter 14-km Baltal route, despite intermittent rainfall. Pilgrims, including men, women, and sadhus, began their journey to the 3,880-metre-high Holy Cave Shrine amid chants of “Bum Bum Bhole” after being flagged off by the respective Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police from the two base camps.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has issued an advisory urging devotees to undertake the pilgrimage only after completing advance registration and to strictly follow their allotted travel dates.
It said that, in line with Supreme Court directions, a daily cap has been fixed on the number of pilgrims to ensure safety and smooth conduct of the Yatra.
The administration assured that every registered devotee would get an opportunity to undertake the pilgrimage as per the prescribed procedure and carrying capacity.
Pilgrims have been urged to maintain discipline, cooperate with the authorities and follow all guidelines for the safe and orderly conduct of the pilgrimage.
Authorities have deployed multi-tier security arrangements along both routes, with personnel from J&K Police, CRPF, and other security forces ensuring safety and smooth conduct of the Yatra. The 57-day pilgrimage will conclude on the 28th of August.
