Avoid littering, abstain from alcohol and caffeine, wear trekking gear: Amarnath shrine board advises pilgrims
The 38-day-yatra will start from both routes --- traditional Pahalgam route in south Kashmir and shortest Baltal route in central Kashmir --- on July 3 and conclude on August 9.
The first batch of pilgrims was flagged off from base camp in Jammu by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday morning. The pilgrims will reach base camps in Baltal and Pahalgam today, and will begin their journey to the Amarnath cave tomorrow.
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Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
J&K: Amid tight security, over 5,800 pilgrims leave for Amarnath cave shrine
Amid chants of 'Bam Bam Bhole' and 'Har Har Mahadev', Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor (LG) Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of Amarnath pilgrims from Yatri Niwas base camp at Bhagwati Nagar here on Wednesday morning. J&K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha flagging off the first batch of pilgrims of Shri Amarnath Yatra 2025 from Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on Wednesday. (ANI) A total of 5,892 pilgrims in a convoy of 310 vehicles left the base camp amid tight security arrangements. The CRPF's vehicles mounted with automatic weapons escorted the convoy. A total of 3,403 pilgrims comprising 2,647 men, 467 women, eight children,16 transgenders, 200 sadhus and 65 sadhvis left in 144 vehicles for the Pahalgam route and 2,489 pilgrims comprising 1,748 men, 576 women, 23 children, 135 sadhus and seven sadhvis left in 166 vehicles for Baltal routes,' said an official at the Bhagwati Nagar base camp. Also Read | First batch of Amarnath pilgrims flagged off amid high security Amid slight drizzle, the exuberant pilgrims blew conch shells and chanted religious hymns. Before flagging off the first batch, LG Sinha performed a puja at the base camp and prayed for the peaceful and hassle-free conduct of the annual pilgrimage. 'Wishing all spiritual seekers a safe & comfortable journey to the holy abode of Lord Shiva and a deeply soul-stirring experience,' Sinha, who wore a traditional Dogra turban, posted on X. Sinha further said the administration, people of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, J&K Police and security forces have made elaborate arrangements for the pilgrims. 'Jammu city has come alive with a new vibrancy. The enthusiasm of pilgrims is very high. Undeterred by terror incidents, devotees of Bhole Baba are arriving in huge numbers, demonstrating their immense faith. I hope that this year's Yatra will be even more historic than previous years,' the LG said. Also Read | LG Sinha chair high-level meeting to review Amarnath Yatra preparations Eminent spiritual leaders, heads of religious organisations, public representatives, senior officers of civil administration, police, security forces and Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, prominent citizens and devotees in large number were present at the flag-off ceremony. J&K deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary said the National Conference-led government hopes to greet the Amarnath yatris in a full-fledged state next time. Choudhary made the remark as he, along with NC MLA Sajad Shaheen and District Development Council chairperson Ramban Shamshad Shan, received the first batch of Amarnath pilgrims in Banihal. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has deployed a special 'May I Help You' women personnel team to assist Amarnath Yatra pilgrims who take the Baltal route, officials said. The paramilitary force has pooled in the highest number of troops. Of 581 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) companies deployed for the yatra, 219 are from the CRPF, while the rest are from forces like the BSF, ITBP, CISF, and SSB. As Northern Railway plans to operate special trains for the pilgrims, authorities have set up various facilities, including registration on arrival and medical check up, at the Jammu railway station. Senior divisional commercial manager, Jammu division of Northern Railway, Uchit Singhal said additional security forces have also been deployed at the station while more CCTV cameras have also been installed for the safety of the travellers. 'There is no fear among us. Pahalgam terror attack of April 22 has failed to dampen our spirit,' said Manoj Kumar, 37, a pilgrim from UP's Sitapur. 'PM Modi has given a strong reply to Pakistan through Operation Sindoor. Our security forces have been deployed for us. The enemies will not be able to cause any harm to us,' he added. Also Read | CRPF deploys special women's team for Amarnath Yatra pilgrims on Baltal Route Ram Prasad, 51, from Azamgarh, said, 'This is first day of the Yatra and you can see the excitement among devotees of Bhole Baba. The numbers will spiral alarmingly in the days to come.' Another pilgrim, Ashish Kambli, 47, from Shirdi, a third timer to the Amarnath cave shrine, said, 'The arrangements are much better this time. We faced no problems and the administration is extending all possible help to us.' Post Pahalgam attack, the BJP government at the Centre has deployed 581 companies of the paramilitary forces to ward off any terror threat to the pilgrimage, considered one of the most revered in Hinduism. Amarnath Yatra has always remained a 'high value' target for the Pakistani terror outfits. More than 3.31 lakh devotees have registered so far for this year's pilgrimage.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Amarnath Yatra begins amid tight security, devotees undeterred by terror threat
SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Chants of 'Bam Bam Bhole' and 'Har Har Mahadev' echoed through Kashmir valley Wednesday as the first convoy of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims crossed Qazigund-Banihal tunnel, marking the start of the annual Himalayan pilgrimage under unprecedented security. Garlanded with flowers and greeted with traditional Kashmiri hospitality, the pilgrims — part of a 5,892-strong batch — were flagged off from the Jammu base camp at Bhagwati Nagar early morning by lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha. A convoy of 310 vehicles carried the devotees toward the sacred Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir. 'Undeterred by recent terrorist activities, devotees of Lord Shiva are arriving in huge numbers, demonstrating their immense faith,' said Sinha. 'I hope this year's yatra will be even more historic than previous years.' The pilgrimage, running from July 3 to Aug 9, is taking place amid heightened security following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26, mostly tourists. A multi-layered security grid with advanced surveillance technology blankets the region. Pilgrims have been advised to travel only in designated convoys, with a separate govt advisory warning journalists against disguising themselves as yatris. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like O que é ar-condicionado sem dutos no Brasil? Knowledge Knower Undo The twin routes to the shrine — Pahalgam (36-48km, 3–5 days) and Baltal (14km, 1–2 days) —remain under constant vigil. Authorities warned pilgrims not to arrive before scheduled dates and reiterated that misrepresentation of identity, especially by media, would result in strict action. Among the first-day pilgrims: 1,043 women, 31 children, 16 trans people, 335 sadhus, and 72 sadhvis. Many will trek on foot or via ponies, palkis, or helicopters toward the 3,888m-high cave shrine that houses the naturally formed ice Shivling. Rain fell. Conch shells blew. Hymns filled the air at Yatri Niwas in Jammu. The spiritual energy of Amarnath Yatra surged forward — undaunted, united, unshaken. 'No matter how many bombs are hurled, devotees will not be deterred,' said Sarvanand Patel from Gujarat. Ramesh Chander added: 'We pray that everybody gets darshan in peace. Army and security forces are here.' Manoj Kumar from UP echoed the sentiment: 'There is no fear among us. We have faith in our Baba Amarnath-ji and the forces.' Ram Prasad, another UP devotee, said terrorist threats will never shake their spiritual resolve. J&K deputy CM Surinder Choudhary welcomed pilgrims at Banihal and raised the political pitch by expressing hope that 'the next Amarnath Yatra would take place in a full-fledged state'. He claimed LG Sinha performed a special puja praying for the restoration of statehood — though BJP did not immediately comment. At Baltal base camp, BJP spokesperson and J&K Waqf Board chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi reviewed facilities and met officials and service providers. 'The yatra is a powerful symbol of communal harmony in Kashmir,' she said. 'It represents Hindu-Muslim unity, and we are all committed to strengthening that bond.'
NDTV
6 hours ago
- NDTV
Encounter Breaks Out Between Terrorists, Security Forces In J&K's Kishtwar
Jammu: An encounter is underway between the Army and terrorists in the Chatroo area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, officials said. The encounter started after a joint team of the Army and Jammu and Kashmir police launched an operation to track down hiding terrorists in the mountainous region. "Yes, contact has been established," said a senior army officer. At least three terrorists are believed to be holed up in the cordoned area in the reportedly fierce gun battle. The area has witnessed several encounters in the last one year. On May 22, a soldier was killed in action at the Chatroo area after the army launched an operation against terrorists. Kishtwar is part of the Jammu administrative province, which has increasingly come under the terror radar. The region that was free from terrorism until a few years ago has become the biggest security challenge and a site of some of the major terrorist attacks in J&K. Officials say terrorists who operated in these mountainous areas are highly trained in jungle warfare and involved in multiple attacks on the army and civilians in the Jammu region. Security is on high alert across Jammu and Kashmir as the annual Amarnath Yatra starts from tomorrow. Besides the existing overwhelming security structure deployed in Kashmir, around 600 additional companies of paramilitary forces have been mobilised for yatra security. Due to security concerns, the entire Yatra route from Pahalgam and Baltal axis has been declared a no-fly zone. This means there will be no helicopter service for Yatris this year. Police have issued an advisory to Yatris asking them to strictly follow travel protocol. Yatris travelling in their private vehicles have been urged to travel in designated convoys, which are heavily guarded by security all along the route to the cave shrine.
