Amarnath Yatra 2024: Pilgrims from the first batch left Baltal base camp on Saturday to continue their journey to Amarnath cave. With the beginning of Amarnath Yatra 2024 on Friday, pilgrims have begun their journey to the cave in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Amarnath Yatra 2024 began amid thunderous chants of “Har Har Mahadev” and “Bum Bum Bhole” after Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of 4,603 Amarnath Yatra pilgrims from the Yatri Niwas base camp in Bhagwati Nagar on Friday.
“Being in the first batch gives us the opportunity of first darshan. Local Kashmiris and Security Forces personnel here are very helpful,” a pilgrim at the base camp told ANI.
The annual pilgrim to Baba Barfani temple holds immense significance for Hindu pilgrims who wait for months to become a part of Amarnath Yatra. Another Amarnath Yatri expressed how he continued to remain in disbelief that he was selected in the first batch of pilgrims.
"The arrangements for pilgrims done by local police, local Kashmiris, and the Security Forces are very good," he said.
The pilgrims who have arrived here from different parts of the country said, "There are good arrangements for pilgrims here. We also want to thank the personnel of the Security Forces."
Amarnath Yatra began amid tight security in Jammu and Kashmir. The administration takes special care of security arrangements given the past events of ghastly terror attacks, including the one held in Reasi.
All the 4351 Yatries who continued their journey to Amarnath Cave en route to Baltal, traveled in 264 vehicles under tight security. At Chanderkot, as many as nine langars were established by various religious organisations from several parts of North India.
The annual pilgrim opens during the month of June and concludes nearly in August. The 52-day-long Shri Amarnath Yatra commenced and will conclude on August 19. During the trek, Amarnath Yatris are required to maintain physical and mental strength as they are required to pursue a challenging trek to Amarnath cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir. The annual yatra, which lasts for about 45 days, is a major concern of the government amid recent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
