The annual Amarnath Yatra began on Saturday with the first batch of pilgrims leaving the base camp for the cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas. Meanwhile, a different kind of enthusiasm was seen among the devotees. Pilgrims will undertake a 12-km trek from the base camp to the holy cave shrine situated at an altitude of about 13,000 feet.
Located in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district, Baltal is one of the twin routes for the annual pilgrimage. The other is the Pahalgam route in South Kashmir's Anantnag district. All arrangements including security have been made for the annual yatra. Around 6,000 pilgrims reached the base camp. Officials said volunteers and mountain rescue teams have been deployed along the Yatra route. Passengers can take their help if needed. The official said that the yatra would not have been possible without the support of the local people.
Officials said that till now more than three lakh devotees have registered themselves for the yatra. He said that security personnel has been deployed for the yatra. Security has been beefed up on Baltal and Pahalgam routes and new security posts have been set up. This journey will be completed on 31 August.
It is being told that in the last two days, about 2,500 devotees, including saints and sages, have registered at the 'Tatkal' counter here for the annual Amarnath Yatra. Pilgrimage to the cave shrine located in the South Kashmir Himalayas is attracting a large number of people from different parts of the country, for which services are being provided to unregistered pilgrims at 'on-the-spot' or instant registration counters.
Keep these things in mind while traveling
Do not use drugs, smoke, or painkillers during the journey.
Keep an umbrella, and raincoat in the bag for essentials, if the weather turns bad it may rain.
Do not click photos standing on the side of hills.
Do not stop where there are warning boards.
Use woolen clothes while traveling, don't wear slippers or travel barefoot.
Take a healthy diet like green vegetables, dal, curry, fruits, plain rice, roti, idli, sambar, poha, tea, coffee, and juice during travel.
After consulting the doctor, keep some medicines with you as needed.
PC social media
