Amarnath Yatra Commences: First Batch of Pilgrims Sets Off Amidst Chants and Prayers

Aqzar Raheel

Ganderbal, The annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine began on Saturday with the first batch of pilgrims leaving the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district. The atmosphere was charged with devotion as conch shells blew and chants of “Bum Bum Bhole”, “Jai Baba Burfani”, and “Har Har Mahadev” filled the air.

This initial group, consisting of 4,603 pilgrims, embarked on their journey to the holy cave, which is situated at an altitude of 12,756 feet. They arrived in the Kashmir valley on Friday, with comprehensive security arrangements in place to ensure their safety.

The 52-day-long pilgrimage is set to culminate on August 19. Online registrations for this year’s yatra began on April 15 through the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board’s (SASB) website. Over 3.50 lakh devotees have registered for the pilgrimage, reflecting the significant enthusiasm for the event.

To support the pilgrims, extensive arrangements have been made, including three-tier security, area dominations, elaborate route deployment, and checkpoints. Additionally, 125 community kitchens (langars) have been established along the two routes to the shrine, supported by over 6,000 volunteers.

The Amarnath Yatra, conducted under tight security each year, follows two routes: the traditional 48-km-long Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter but steeper 14-km-long Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The robust measures aim to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage for all participants.