Amarnath Yatra 2024: Over 13,000 pilgrims visited the holy cave shrine of Amarnath on Saturday, the first day of the annual pilgrimage in the south Kashmir Himalayas. The pilgrimage is taking place under stringent security measures. The 52-day pilgrimage which began on Saturday (June 29) will conclude on August 19.
The first batch of pilgrims departed from the twin base camps in Baltal and Nunwan to begin their journey to the cave shrine, situated at an altitude of 3,880 meters.
13,736 pilgrims visited cave shrine on day 1
The Yatra commenced early in the morning from two tracks: the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the shorter, but steeper, 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal. "As many as 13,736 pilgrims visited the cave shrine to have darshan of the naturally formed ice lingam on the first day," an official said.
Among the pilgrims, there were 3,300 females, 52 children, 102 sadhus, and 682 security personnel who visited the shrine via the two routes.
PM Modi greeted pilgrims
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted pilgrims at the start of the Amarnath Yatra, saying the 'darshan' of Lord Shiva is known to infuse immense energy in his followers.
"My heartfelt best wishes to all pilgrims on the commencement of the holy Amarnath Yatra. This Yatra associated with the darshan of Baba Barfani infuses immense energy in the devotees of Lord Shiva. May all devotees prosper with his blessings. Jai Baba Barfani,” the prime ministe said in a post on X in Hindi.
Lt Governor flags off first batch of pilgrims
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of 4,603 pilgrims from the Yatri Niwas base camp in Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, on Friday. Stringent security arrangements have been implemented to ensure the smooth conduct of the Yatra, with thousands of security personnel from the police, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and other paramilitary forces deployed along the route. Aerial surveillance is also being conducted.
Additionally, the central public sector undertaking ONGC has established two 100-bed hospitals at the twin Amarnath base camps in Kashmir, announcing that these facilities will continue to operate after the annual yatra.
Last year, more than 4.5 lakh pilgrims visited the cave shrine.
(With PTI inputs)
Also Read: Amarnath Yatra 2024: Large number of pilgrims en route from Baltal to holy cave | WATCH
