Srinagar: The first batch of Amarnath pilgrims has reached the Kashmir valley, with senior police and civil administration officials, along with local residents, welcoming over 4,603 pilgrims at the Navyug Tunnel in south Kashmir’s Qazigund.
The 52-day pilgrimage will commence on Saturday from two routes: the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal. The pilgrimage will conclude on August 19.
Amid chants of “Bum Bum Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev,” Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch from the Yatri Niwas base camp at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu early on Friday morning.
He also wished the pilgrims a safe journey.
A senior official stated that a three-tier security arrangement, area domination, elaborate route deployment, and checkpoints have been established to ensure a smooth yatra.
“Traffic restrictions will be imposed on various routes from June 28 to August 19, with daily advisories issued to minimize inconvenience,” the official added.
According to reports, more than 3.50 lakh people have registered for this year’s yatra. As many as 125 community kitchens (langars) have been set up along the two routes to the cave shrine, supported by over 6,000 volunteers.