Amarnath yatra begins from Pahalgam, Baltal

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 2

The annual yatra to the cave shrine of Amarnath in the Himalayas commenced today from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes.

Governor NN Vohra offered prayers at the sanctum sanctorum and participated in the pooja ceremony. He prayed for sustained peace, harmony, progress and prosperity of the state.

First Lady Usha Vohra, PK Tripathi, Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), and Lt Gen Subrata Saha, General Officer Commanding of the 15 Corps, also offered prayers at the shrine along with senior officials of the SASB, government, police and security forces.

After his early morning visit to the shrine, the Governor reviewed arrangements for the pilgrims at the shrine camp and conveyed the Shrine Board’s gratitude to the state government, Army, Central Armed Police Forces, state police and all other agencies concerned for their support and cooperation.

Vohra stressed the need for effective supervision and round-the-clock monitoring by the camp directors and all functionaries involved in the management of the yatra for its smooth conduct.

Meanwhile, the SASB CEO has once again appealed to the yatristo embark on the pilgrimage only after getting medically checked and obtaining a valid yatra permit. This would ensure against any inconvenience to them, he said.

The CEO said the SASB had also issued a detailed advisory of dos and don’ts for the yatris.

The yatris need to adhere to the dos and don’ts as they have to undertake an arduous trek through high mountains in adverse weather conditions, he added.

The yatra will conclude on August 29, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. It continued for 44 days last year. Most of the pilgrims prefer to take the 32-km traditional route from Chandanwari in the upper reaches of Pahalgam in Anantnag district. The shortest trekking route of 14 km is via Baltal that shoots off from the Srinagar-Ladakh highway.