The annual Amarnath Yatra began on Saturday June 29, 2024, as the first batch of pilgrims left the twin base camps in Baltal and Nunwan to start their journey to the 3880-metre-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said.
The yatra started early morning from the twin tracks ¬ the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route and the 14-km Baltal route.
The officials said the batches of pilgrims on the twin routes were flagged off by the respective deputy commissioners along with senior police and civil administration officials.
Jammu and KashmirLieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had flagged off the first batch of 4,603 pilgrims from the Yatri Niwas base camp in Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu on Friday morning.
The pilgrims reached the Kashmir Valley in the afternoon and received a rousing welcome from the administration and locals.
PM Modi greets pilgrims
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday greeted pilgrims on the start of the Amarnath Yatra, saying the ‘darshan’ of Lord Shiva is known to infuse immense energy in his followers.
“My heartfelt best wishes to all pilgrims on the commencement of the holy Amarnath Yatra. This yatra associated with the darshan of Baba Barfani infuses immense energy in the devotees of Lord Shiva. May all devotees prosper with his blessings. Jai Baba Barfani,” Mr. Modi said in a post on X in Hindi.
The annual Amarnath Yatra started early morning from the twin tracks ¬ the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route and the 14-km Baltal route. | Photo Credit: AFP
The pilgrims will pay obeisance at the cave shrine which houses the naturally formed ice-lingam.
Stringent security arrangements have been put in place for the smooth conduct of the yatra.
Thousands of security personnel from the police, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and other paramilitary forces have been deployed to ensure foolproof security. Aerial surveillance will also be carried out.
The 52-day pilgrimage will conclude on August 19.
