New Delhi: The Jammu and Kashmir administration flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from Baltal to Amarnath Cave for Amarnath Yatra 2023 on Saturday. Shyambir who is the Deputy Commissioner of the Ganderbal flagged off the first batch and wished everyone a safe journey. He urged the pilgrims to take advantage of all the facilities available to them. The first batch of devotees undertook a pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine of Lord Shiva in the south Kashmir Himalayas.
The 62-day pilgrimage began on July 1 from Kashmir's two tracks, the classic 48-kilometre Nunwan-Pahalgam route in the Anantnag region and the 14-kilometre shorter but hilly Baltal route in the Ganderbal area.
Aarti Performed At Shri Amarnath Cave Shrine In Jammu & Kashmir
Visuals of aarti being performed at the Shri Amarnath Cave Shrine are doing the rounds on social media and netizens are mesmerized by it. A few devotees, priests and security personnel witnessed that first aarti today.
The second Batch Of Pilgrims Also Started Their Journey
The second batch of pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp today in a secured convoy on a pilgrimage to the 3,888-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine. As of now, more than 3.5 lakh people have registered themselves online for the pilgrimage.
Multi-Tier Security For Amarnath Yatra:
A multi-tier security setup has been activated in and around the Bhagwati Nagar base camp and a convoy carrying pilgrims, which will leave Jammu for Kashmir, will be fully guarded by CRPF troops with area domination being done by Army and police.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, took stock of food and lodging of the pilgrims besides reviewing security arrangements, functioning of joint control rooms, langer stalls, registration counters, power and water supply, health facilities and sanitation. Additionally, he also reviewed the facilities of transportation, deployment of health staff, fire tenders and emergency services.
Speaking of locals, they also play an important role in the success of this Himalayan pilgrimage since their knowledge and expertise of the high terrain frequently save lives and make the journey more comfortable. Additionally, helicopter services from Baltal to Panjtarni and return have also been made available. Pilgrims taking the Baltal route spend only one day getting 'Darshan' inside the cave shrine and returning to the base camp.