JAMMU AND KASHMIR: The annual Amarnath Yatra officially began on Thursday with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagging off the first convoy of pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu. The commencement of the pilgrimage is marked by extensive security arrangements across the Union Territory to ensure the safety and smooth passage of devotees.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Lieutenant Governor offered prayers at the base camp before inaugurating the pilgrimage. He was accompanied by senior civil and police officials, including Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, and BJP MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, alongside members of religious organisations.
The inaugural convoy comprised over 5,000 pilgrims travelling in escorted vehicles. They proceeded towards the twin base camps of Nunwan in Pahalgam and Baltal, operating under a comprehensive multi-tier security cordon. Chants of religious slogans filled the air as the procession departed from Jammu, signalling the spiritual journey’s start.
This year’s 57-day pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath cave shrine, situated at an altitude of 3,880 metres, will officially commence for all pilgrims on Friday, July 3. Devotees have the option of undertaking the journey via the traditional 48-kilometre Nunwan-Pahalgam route in the Anantnag district or the shorter, steeper 14-kilometre Baltal route in the Ganderbal district. The pilgrimage is slated to conclude on August 28.
Authorities have implemented robust security measures throughout Jammu and Kashmir. These include multi-layered deployments of security personnel, advanced technology-driven surveillance systems, area domination exercises, and stringent traffic management protocols along the critical Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. These measures are designed to facilitate the secure transit of pilgrims.
Traffic restrictions have been imposed on specific sections of the highway from July 2 and will remain in effect until the yatra’s conclusion. Daily traffic advisories, coupled with sector-wise cut-off timings, will be issued to regulate vehicular movement during the pilgrimage period, ensuring orderly progression.
Officials indicated that more than 3.90 lakh devotees have registered for this year’s yatra. Additionally, on-the-spot registration facilities are available in Jammu for eligible pilgrims who may not have pre-registered, offering flexibility for those wishing to participate.
The Jammu region, in particular, has been brought under an enhanced security grid in anticipation of the annual religious event. Officials have affirmed that all necessary arrangements are in place to guarantee a safe, seamless, and hassle-free pilgrimage experience for devotees en route to the holy cave shrine.
The Chenab Times News Desk