Thousands of pilgrims trek towards the sacred cave shrine amid tight security and chants of ‘Bum Bum Bhole’
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD)The annual Amarnath Yatra commenced on today morning as the first batches of pilgrims set out from the twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan, making their way toward the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine nestled in the Himalayas of south Kashmir.
Pilgrims—comprising men, women, and sadhus—began their spiritual journey at first light along the two designated routes: the 14-kilometre Baltal track in central Kashmir’s Sonamarg, and the traditional 48-kilometre Nunwan-Pahalgam route in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Echoes of “Bum Bum Bhole” reverberated through the air as officials flagged off the yatris with ceremonial send-offs from both camps.
On Wednesday, the first batch of 5,892 pilgrims was flagged off from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The pilgrims reached the Kashmir Valley later that day, where they were welcomed warmly by local residents and the civil administration.
The focus of the yatra is the revered cave shrine, known for housing a naturally formed ice-lingam believed to represent Lord Shiva.
To ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage, a massive security grid has been deployed. Personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, ITBP, and other paramilitary forces are stationed along the routes, with aerial surveillance bolstering ground efforts.
This year’s pilgrimage will span 38 days and conclude on August 9(DD)