- June 29, 2024
Amarnath Yatra Commences! Thousands Embark on Sacred Pilgrimage to Holy Cave Shrine in Kashmir Himalayas
Amarnath Yatra Commences! Thousands Embark on Sacred Pilgrimage to Holy Cave Shrine in Kashmir Himalayas
The annual Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir has begun, with thousands of devotees setting out from the twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan towards the revered cave shrine nestled 3,880 meters high in the southern Himalayas. Flagged off by officials on Saturday morning, the pilgrims embarked on their journeys along the traditional 48-kilometer Nunwan-Pahalgam route and the shorter 14-kilometer Baltal route. This follows the arrival of the first batch of over 4,600 pilgrims who received a warm welcome upon reaching the Kashmir Valley on Friday.
The pilgrimage allows devotees to pay homage at the holy cave, renowned for its naturally formed ice lingam – a revered Shiva lingam formed by an ice stalagmite. Stringent security measures are in place for the smooth conduct of the 52-day yatra, which will conclude on August 19th, 2024. This includes deployment of thousands of personnel from police forces and paramilitary units, alongside aerial surveillance.
