Srinagar/Jammu: The first batch of the annual Amarnath Yatra with 4,603 pilgrims reached the Kashmir valley on Friday amid stringent security arrangements, officials said.
Local Muslims joined senior officials of police and civil administration at several places to welcome the pilgrims — who were flagged off by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha from the Bhagwati Nagar Jammu base camp early morning — upon their arrival in the valley, they added.
The Yatra convoys received rousing welcome from the administration and the people on their way to Kashmir and the pilgrims were welcomed with garlands in Kulgam, Anantnag, Srinagar, and Bandipora districts, the officials said.
The 52-day pilgrimage will begin from the twin tracks — the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal — on Saturday and conclude on August 19.
The officials said the pilgrims reached the valley through the Navyug tunnel in Qazigund area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district in a cavalcade of 231 light and heavy vehicles where they were welcomed by Kulgam Deputy Commissioner (DC) Athar Aamir Khan, SSP Kulgam, members of civil society, trade fraternity, fruit growers, and market associations.
“We welcome all of them. There are proper arrangements in place for them,” Khan told reporters.
The officials said the pilgrim convoys left separately for the base camps in Baltal and Pahalgam from where they will leave for the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine early on Saturday.
While pilgrims taking the Pahalgam axis were welcomed at Anantnag by Deputy Commissioner Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid and other officials, the pilgrims on their way to the cave shrine via the Baltal axis were welcomed at Pantha Chowk in Srinagar by Deputy Commissioner Bilal Mohi-ud-din Bhat and others, including locals.
The convoy was also later welcomed in Bandipora where it was given a rousing reception, the officials added.
Earlier on Friday morning, amid chants of “Bum Bum Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev”, LG Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch from the Yatri Niwas base camp at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu.
Sinha wished the pilgrims a safe journey.
“May the blessings of Baba Amarnath ji bring peace, happiness and prosperity to everyone’s life,” he said.
Comprehensive arrangements, including three-tier security, area dominations, elaborate route deployment and checkpoints, have been made to ensure a smooth Yatra, a senior official said.
“Traffic restrictions will be imposed on various routes from June 28 to August 19, with daily advisories issued to minimise inconvenience,” the official said.
According to reports, more than 3.50 lakh people have registered for this year’s Yatra. As many as 125 community kitchens (langars) have been set up along the two routes to the cave shrine and are supported by over 6,000 volunteers. (With additional inputs from PTI)
Meanwhile, LG attended an event organised by civil society, trade fraternity and citizens, in Srinagar today, to welcome pilgrims of Amarnath Yatra.
In his address, the LG lauded the significant contribution of the people of Jammu Kashmir in smooth and successful conduct of the annual holy Yatra, an official press release informed.
“People feel privileged to be part of holy pilgrimage and contributing to make the journey safe and a truly fulfilling spiritual experience. The spiritual journey to the holy cave is the symbol of faith and unity. For centuries, it has been the collective responsibility of the society to make every step of this journey blissful,” the LG said.
Interacting with various stakeholders, the LG highlighted the important role of civil society groups, trade bodies and local citizens in the hassle-free pilgrimage. He urged them to come forward and welcome the devotees of Amarnath coming from across the country and abroad.
The responsibility of carrying forward the great tradition of serving pilgrims our ancestors followed with full devotion rests on the shoulders of all of you, he said.
“J&K has glorious heritage of harmony, tolerance and brotherhood. It is the land of almost all religions known to mankind. These values deeply embedded in society are expressed in this Yatra and everyone irrespective of religion and caste participates in serving the pilgrims,” the LG said.
On the occasion, the LG also spoke on the arrangements made by the administration, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, police, security forces and various stakeholder departments for the safe and secure pilgrimage of the devotees.
Addressing the Traffic management-related issues, the LG said the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has been directed to take comprehensive measures to provide resolution to ease traffic congestion, especially in Srinagar.
The LG also observed that the arrangements for Muharram have already started. The administration is taking all the stakeholders onboard for Muharram, he added.
