Amarnath Yatra: Over 5500 pilgrims leave Jammu-based camp as LG Sinha flags off first batch
The yatra was flagged off by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in the presence of senior administrative and police officials and the members of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.
Officials said that a total of 5892 pilgrims this morning left in a fleet of 310 vehicles comprising light motor vehicles and heavy motor vehicles for the twin Pahalgam and Baltal routes.
For Pahalgam, 2489 pilgrims, and for Baltal, 3403 pilgrims left from the base camp, they added.
Meanwhile the chants of 'Bam Bam Bhole' echoed in the air early in the morning as the yatra was flagged off with religious fervour and devotion.
Enthusiasm was visible among the devotees who boarded the buses for onwards journeys.
Chanting 'Bam Bam Bhole' and 'Har Har Mahadev', the devotees expressed happiness at the start of the yatra.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, "flagged off the first batch of pilgrims of Shri Amarnath Yatra from Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp. Wishing all spiritual seekers a safe and comfortable journey to the holy abode of Lord Shiva and a deeply soul-stirring experience. Prayed to Baba Amarnath for peace and blessings to all."
Meanwhile, a senior official said that 60 RFID centres are established at five prominent districts in the Jammu region.
He also added that the yatra will be allowed only via road under proper regulation by the administration and security forces, adding that elaborate arrangements have been put in place in the Bhagwati Nagar Yatra camp, where the Yatris will arrive before leaving in convoys for the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps.
A total of 141 lodgment centres have also been established in Jammu Division with adequate civic amenities and security arrangements, while 52 langars and 60 RFID centres are made functional in Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Udhampur and Ramban Districts, and five registration centres with a token centre at Saraswati Dham are also made operational in Jammu, he added.
However, the convoy was escorted by security forces from Jammu to the base camps in Kashmir.
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