Srinagar, JULY 03: The first batch of Amarnath yatries performed dharshan of the Shiv Lingam at the holy cave.
Official figures reveal that 12,348 performed dharshan till 6 PM today. The pilgrims also return to their base camp at Baltal.
Earlier, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, flagged the first batch of pilgrims from Domail, Baltal in Ganderbal.
The Baltal base camp echoed with chants of “Bam Bam Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev”, as thousands of ecstatic pilgrims, including men, women, elderly devotees, and sadhus, set off on their sacred journey to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji.
“This Yatra is not just a religious Yatra. It is a Yatra of the people. Security forces, ‘pitthus’, tent every service provider is involved in it… The enthusiasm among the devotees is unparalleled. I pray that everyone’s wishes are fulfilled and there is peace and happiness in Kashmir and the rest of the country…” Bidhuri said.
The pilgrims expressed joy and appreciation for the robust arrangements made by the Jammu and Kashmir UT Administration, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), and the Police. They lauded the seamless coordination and facilities put in place to ensure a smooth and secure Yatra experience.
To ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims, the administration has made comprehensive arrangements, including round-the-clock security, well-equipped medical camps, sanitation facilities, and other essential services along the Yatra route.
The commencement of the Yatra marks the beginning of a deeply spiritual and revered pilgrimage, reflecting the unwavering devotion of the yatris and the commitment of the administration to facilitate a smooth and safe pilgrimage.
The 38-day pilgrimage, which has started today, will end on August 9. It will follow two routes, the traditional 48-kilometre Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter but steeper 14-kilometre Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The first group of pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on July 2.
Security across the Jammu region has been stepped up significantly in the wake of the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam. Over 50,000 personnel from the CRPF, Army, and Police have been deployed. CCTV cameras, drones, jammers, and facial recognition systems are being used to monitor the route.
Arrangements have also been made for medical teams, air ambulances, and emergency evacuation to ensure the safety of all pilgrims.