JAMMU/ SRINAGAR: Amid tight security, the first batch of 3488 Shri Amarnath Yatra pilgrims, who started from Jammu early Sunday morning, reached the twin base camps at Baltal and Pahalgam in Kashmir this evening, where they will have pay obeisance on Saturday morning at the 3,880 metre high cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, marking the formal commencement of this year’s pilgrimage.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims from Yatri Niwas, Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu this morning. Sinha will have the first darshan of the naturally forming ice-lingam early morning of the first day, followed by the pilgrims.
Early in the morning, the first convoy of 164 vehicles, carrying 3488 pilgrims was flagged off at Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu by Sinha, amidst the chanting of Vedic Mantras.
The Lt Governor wished all the devotees a safe and spiritually-fulfilling journey and prayed for peace, prosperity and happiness to all.
“The holy pilgrimage is the ultimate bliss. It is the path of humility, compassion and awareness. Shiv Sutra says, the spiritual endeavour is Bhairava, the first step to experience the divine. It is the journey of inner transformation.
The UT Administration has made elaborate arrangements for the safe and hassle-free pilgrimage of the devotees of Shri Amarnath Ji,” the Lt Governor said.
Eminent spiritual leaders; members of PRIs and ULBs; heads of religious organizations, senior officers of civil administration, Police, security forces and SASB officials, prominent citizens, and devotees in large number were present on the occasion.
Upon their arrival in Valley, the pilgrims were warmly received by the Concerned Deputy Commissioners in Kulgam, Anantnag, Srinagar and other elected representatives and general public.
The most beautiful visuals were seen at KP road Anantnag where people stood in queue with garlands on both sides of road to welcome Shri Amarnath ji pilgrims. Similarly President MC Phalgham wholeheartedly welcomed the yatris wishing them happy journey ahead.
While reaching Srinagar, DC Srinagar along with other officers received them and presented them flower bouquets. In the same way District Administration Bandipora lead by DC alongwith PRIs, locals and other officers welcomed Yatris at Yatra Transit Camp Shadipora here.
This year’s yatra will be of 62 days going to continue between July 1st to August 31st. To ensure a hassle-free yatra, coordinated efforts have been made by the SASB and the UT Administration with unflinching support of locals and PRI members of J&K.
Meanwhile, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) was among three persons injured when a vehicle, which was part of the Amarnath security convoy, skidded off the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Udhampur district on Friday morning, officials said.
An escort vehicle in the convoy, which was on its way from Jammu to Kashmir, skidded off the highway at Bali nallah area and overturned resulting in injuries to three persons, including the DSP, Senior Superintendent of Police, Udhampur, Dr Vinood Kumar informed.
The injured have been hospitalised.
