Jammu: On Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir's Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the first group of pilgrims for this year's Amarnath Yatra, which is set to commence on Thursday and will last for 36 days.
With chants of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, ‘Bum Bum Bhole’, and ‘Barfani Baba Ne Bulaya Hai’, eager Yatris departed in two secured convoys from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas on Canal Road in Jammu, heading towards the two base camps located in Pahalgam and Baltal.
The Lt Governor was joined by high-ranking civil and police officials during the flag-off ceremony for this year's pilgrimage.
Manoj Sinha also serves as the chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), which oversees the Yatra's operations.
According to official sources, a total of 5,892 Yatris embarked on their journey today, with 3,403 heading to the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp and 2,489 to the Baltal base camp.
This year's Amarnath Yatra is under heightened security, especially following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians due to an assault by Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists.
To enhance security measures, an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed alongside the Army, security forces, and J&K Police.
The pilgrimage will officially commence on Thursday and conclude on August 9, coinciding with the festivals of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
Devotees can reach the sacred cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,888 meters, via the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route.
Those taking the Pahalgam route will trek 46 kilometers over four days, passing through Chandanwati, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni to reach the holy cave shrine.
Conversely, pilgrims using the Baltal route can complete their visit in a single day, covering a 14-kilometer trek to have ‘darshan’ at the cave shrine.
The shrine features an ice stalagmite that changes size with the lunar phases, which devotees believe represents the divine powers of Lord Shiva.
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