The annual Amarnath Yatra commenced on Friday as the first batches of pilgrims departed from the twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan for the sacred cave shrine nestled at an altitude of 3,880 metres in the south Kashmir Himalayas.

The 57-day pilgrimage, which attracts devotees from across the country, began amid intermittent rainfall and extensive security arrangements. The yatra will continue until August 28, with authorities deploying thousands of security personnel to ensure its smooth conduct.

Pilgrims Begin Journey Along Twin Routes

Officials said groups of devotees, including men, women and sadhus, set out at daybreak from the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam in Anantnag district and the Baltal base camp in the Sonamarg area of Ganderbal district.

The pilgrimage is being conducted along two routes leading to the shrine. These include the traditional 48-kilometre Nunwan-Pahalgam route and the shorter 14-kilometre Baltal route.

Devotional chants of “bum bum bole” echoed through the base camps as the first batches were flagged off by the respective deputy commissioners and senior superintendents of police.

First Batch Flagged Off From Jammu

The formal commencement of the pilgrimage follows the departure of the first group of pilgrims from Jammu on Thursday.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the inaugural batch of more than 4,809 pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu.

The pilgrims arrived in the Kashmir Valley later in the day and were welcomed by local residents and the administration before proceeding towards the designated base camps.

Tight Security Arrangements In Place

Authorities have put in place extensive security measures for the duration of the pilgrimage, which culminates at the revered cave shrine housing a naturally formed ice lingam.

Officials said thousands of personnel from the police, the Central Reserve Police Force and other paramilitary organisations have been deployed along the routes and at key locations associated with the yatra.

In addition to ground security, aerial surveillance will be conducted to monitor the movement of pilgrims and maintain vigilance throughout the pilgrimage period.

With the first groups of devotees now on their way from Baltal and Nunwan, the annual Amarnath Yatra has formally begun and will continue under heightened security until its conclusion on August 28.

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