Amarnath Yatra: The first batch of pilgrims on Saturday started their journey from the Baltal base camp in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal to the Amarnath cave. With this the annual Amarnath Yatra started.
Ganderbal Deputy Commissioner Shyambir flagged off the pilgrims for the yatra along with senior officials of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and police at the Baltal base camp.
12 kilometer trek to the holy Amarnath Cave Temple
Ganderbal Deputy Commissioner said, “Today we are sending the first batch of passengers from here. I wish everyone a pleasant journey. Passengers are requested to avail all the facilities available. Right now there are around 7,000 to 8,000 passengers. Registration is still going on. Our volunteers are everywhere to help,” Shyambir.
The 62-day pilgrimage will conclude on August 31.
The pilgrims will undertake a 12-km trek from the base camp to the holy Amarnath cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas, situated at an altitude of about 13,000 feet.
First batch of pilgrims at Baltal base camp
The first batch of pilgrims for the Amarnath Yatra 2023 reached the Baltal base camp in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal on Friday. Pilgrims were welcomed by the district administration at Kali Mata Temple at Tikri in Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir.
Several ‘Langar’ committees to serve the pilgrims have started their practice three days in advance on Wednesday to prepare for the yatra.
The committees prepared sheds, cooking resources and other raw materials on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Arrangement of 22 anchors
This year a total of 22 langars have been set up at different points of the highway (NHW-44). Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reviewed the arrangements made for the pilgrims of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.
Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board Chairman Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday took stock of security, health facilities, food and accommodation of pilgrims, functioning of joint control room, registration counter, langar stalls, electricity and water supply, cleanliness. transportation, installation of mobile toilets, fire fighting vehicles, emergency services and deployment of health and sanitation workers.
essential services
The Lt Governor directed the officials to increase manpower for health, sanitation and other essential services. He welcomed the pilgrims who reached Yatri Niwas from all over the country for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. During the conversation, the Lieutenant Governor also inquired about the facilities.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar informed the Lt Governor that the holding capacity of pilgrims at Samba and Kathua has been increased since last year and additional buses have been deployed at major places of pilgrimage.