Amarnath Yatra begins amid unprecedented security

The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra commenced on Friday from both the traditional Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter Baltal route in Ganderbal district, marking the beginning of one of India’s most significant religious pilgrimages.

- ASHIQ MIR

Thousands of devotees, chanting “Bam Bam Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev”, embarked on their spiritual journey towards the holy cave shrine nestled in the Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir.

The first batch of pilgrims had left Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas on July 2 after being flagged off by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor and Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, Manoj Sinha. The pilgrims reached the twin base camps of Nunwan in Pahalgam and Baltal in Sonamarg later in the evening before beginning their onward journey to the cave shrine early Friday morning.

This year’s pilgrimage is being held under an unprecedented security umbrella, with the administration leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the Yatra. The annual pilgrimage, which attracts lakhs of devotees from across the country, is considered not only a religious event but also a symbol of Kashmir’s enduring spirit of hospitality and communal harmony.