SRINAGAR : Chanting “Bum Bum Bolay” and “Har Har Mahadev”, the first batch of about 8,000 pilgrims today left Baltal and Pahalgam base camps for the holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas on the first day of the 48-day-long pilgrimage.
The weather was pleasant and the journey progressing smoothly, a yatra official said.
He said over 6,000 pilgrims left Baltal base camp and will have to cover a distance of hilly area of 14 km to reach the shrine. The first halting station is at a distance of 2 km at Domail, Brari Marg and Sangam before the pilgrims can have the darshan of the self-made ice Shivlingam at the shrine.
About 2,000 pilgrims also left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for Chandanwari, the last halting station on the traditional route. Majority of the pilgrims will have a night halt there before starting onward journey to Pisso top tomorrow, the official said.
Meanwhile, unprecedented security arrangements have been made on both the tracks for the safety and security of the pilgrims.
The authorities have set up control rooms at different halting stations, where free langars and other facilities, including health, water, wash room and power are available. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
