#Amarnath Yatra2023 : Amidst Tight Security ; First Batch Of Pilgrims Move Towards Cave Shrine From Baltal Base Camp ; 62-Day Pilgrimage, Ends August 31

Picture : Twitter/ ANI

The annual Amarnath Yatra began with the first batch of pilgrims setting out from the base camp for the cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah  conveyed his greetings to the pilgrims of Amarnath Yatra and said the administration has made all possible arrangements for the convenience of the devotees.  “Shri Amarnath ji’s pilgrimage is a symbol of unbreakable tradition and beliefs of ‘Sanatan’ culture. This pilgrimage is starting today.

As per PTI report, The 62-day pilgrimage was flagged off by Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, Shyambir, along with senior officials of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and the police, at the Baltal base camp.

Baltal, in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, is one of the twin routes for the annual pilgrimage. The other one is the Pahalgam route in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

The pilgrims will undertake a 12-km journey from the base camp to the holy cave shrine located at an altitude of about 13,000 feet.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday flagged off the first batch of 3,488 pilgrims from the Jammu base camp.

Over three lakh pilgrims have so far registered themselves for the yatra.

Security personnel have been deployed for the pilgrimage. Security along the Baltal and Pahalgam routes has been beefed up. New security pickets have been set up, officials said.

The pilgrimage will culminate on August 31.