Kashmir welcomes first lot of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims

The journey officially starts today and concludes after 36 days on August 9

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A large number of locals drawn from different sections of society lined up at the Navyug Tunnel yesterday to receive the first batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims as they entered Kashmir.

Members of civil society, traders and local residents from the South Kashmir districts of Anantnag and Kulgam lined up, holding garlands and placards to welcome the Yatris.

The spontaneous welcome of the first batch of Amarnath Yatris on their entry into the Valley made a powerful statement about the rejection of terrorism and an assertion of communal harmony and the historic support of the Yatra by the people of Kashmir.

Pilgrims flagged off

In the morning, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of Yatris for this year's Amarnath Yatra from Jammu for the Valley as the 36-day long pilgrimage begins today.