JAMMU, June 27: The annual Amarnath yatra today began as the first batch of pilgrims left for the cave shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas from the base-camp here amid tight security arrangements.
Minister for Tourism Ghulam Ahmed Mir flagged off first batch consisting of 3157 pilgrims of Shri Amarnathji Yatra from Jammu base camp Yatri Niwas, Bhagwati Nagar at 5 a.m.this morning for the annual pilgrimage to Himalayan cave shrine in South Kashmir District of Anantnag. While interacting with the devotees and media, Mir said sufficient arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of the Yatra and administration is fully geared up to provide facilities like, accommodation, drinking water, electricity etc to the yatris at base camps as well as enroute. Praying for smooth and safe yatra, the minister said the pilgrims have to brave tough and inclement weather conditions during the yatra also to avoid an outward incident only registered and medically fit yatris would be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage.
Directing all concerned departments to ensure foolproof Yatra related arrangements, the Minister passed instructions for ensuring best possible facilities in order to make the pilgrimage a pleasant experience for the devotees. He said all required assistance would be provided to the yatris to help them cope with the bad weather, difficult terrain and mountainous tracks.
First batch of pilgrims included 2466 males, 563 females, 37 children and 91 sadhus, which left in 96 vehicles including 75 buses and 21 Light motor vehicles (LMVs) amid tight mobile security escort of CRPF.
Enchanting religious slogans, hymns and prayers, the pilgrims with holy bandannas tied to their fore-heads left for the Valley amid joy and happiness for their onward journey to Amarnath Cave Shrine.
MLA Jammu East Ashok Khajuria, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Mr. Pardeep Gupta, Inspector General Police, Jammu Mr. Rajesh Kumar, DIG Jammu Kathua Range Shakeel Beig, District Development Commissioner, Mr. Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Director Tourism Jammu Mr. Soujanya Sharma, and other senior officers of Tourism, Police, and other concerned department were present at the flag off ceremony. |
