Jammu, Jul 3: The second batch of 3,865 pilgrims on Friday left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the twin Amarnath Yatra base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam under tight security arrangements, officials said.
The 57-day annual pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine commenced earlier in the day through the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The Yatra will conclude on August 28.
Officials said the second batch departed in a convoy of 201 vehicles escorted by security personnel and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
Of the total pilgrims, 1,735 devotees travelling in 115 vehicles were headed to the Baltal base camp, while 2,130 pilgrims in 86 vehicles were proceeding to the traditional Pahalgam base camp.
The Bhagwati Nagar base camp echoed with chants of “Bam Bam Bhole,” “Har Har Mahadev,” and “Jai Barfani Baba Ki” as devotees began their spiritual journey. Many pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made by the administration for a safe and smooth pilgrimage.
On Thursday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of 4,822 pilgrims from the Jammu base camp.
With Friday’s departure, a total of 8,687 pilgrims have left Bhagwati Nagar for the Kashmir Valley since the Yatra began.
Authorities have deployed multi-layered security along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, transit camps, and the Bhagwati Nagar base camp to ensure the safe and seamless movement of pilgrims throughout the annual pilgrimage.
