STATE TIMES NEWS

SRINAGAR/JAMMU: The annual Amarnath Yatra began on Saturday as the first batch of pilgrims left the twin base camps in Baltal and Nunwan to start their journey to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said.
The yatra started early morning from the twin tracks — the traditional 48-kilometre Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the 14-kilometre shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal.
The officials said the pilgrims on the twin routes were flagged off by the respective Deputy Commissioners along with senior police and civil administration officials.
Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Shyambir flagged off the Yatra from the Domail, Baltal base camp.
Senior Superintendent of Police Ganderbal, Sandeep Gupta; Camp Director Baltal, Camp Director Domail, Additional Camp Directors, and other officials from district administration, police, and security agencies graced the occasion, ensuring the seamless start of this significant pilgrimage.
The pilgrims, filled with enthusiasm and devotion, were seen chanting religious hymns as they proceeded towards the holy Cave of Lord Shiva.
The atmosphere was charged with spiritual fervor, reflecting the deep faith and reverence of the devotees.
In preparation for this sacred journey, comprehensive arrangements have been made to ensure the comfort and safety of all pilgrims. Essential amenities, healthcare services, and robust security measures have been meticulously put in place at the base camps and along the route to the holy Cave.
Lt 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.
The pilgrims reached the Kashmir Valley in the afternoon and received a rousing welcome from the administration and locals.
They will pay obeisance at the cave shrine, which houses the naturally ice-lingam formation.
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 security. Aerial surveillance will also be carried out.
The 52-day pilgrimage will conclude on August 19.
Meanwhile, the second batch of 1,881 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp amid tight security on Saturday, officials said.
The second batch, which included 427 women and 294 seers, left in 200 vehicles in two separate convoys escorted by security forces, the officials said.
While the first convoy carrying 1,069 devotees to Baltal left at 4 am, the second with 812 pilgrims started its journey to Pahalgam 30 minutes later.
More than 4.5 lakh pilgrims paid their obeisance at the cave shrine last year.

PM greets Amarnathji Yatra pilgrims

Modi Govt committed to ensure safe, smooth Yatra: Amit Shah

NEW DELHI: 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,” Modi said in a post on X in Hindi.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said the Modi government is committed to ensuring a safe, smooth and pleasant pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Amarnath and is making all possible arrangements to ensure that devotees do not face any inconvenience.
“Shri Amarnath Yatra is an eternal symbol of the traditionalism and continuity of Indian culture. This divine yatra is starting today. I wish all the devotees good luck for the darshan,” Shah wrote on ‘X’ in Hindi. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, our government is committed to the safe, smooth and pleasant journey of the devotees and the government has made every possible arrangement to ensure that the devotees do not face any inconvenience. Har Har Mahadev,” he added.