Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the 52-day-long Amarnath Yatra from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas. Amid religious hymns, 4,603 pilgrims departed in two escorted convoys. The convoy to the north Kashmir Baltal route included 1,933 pilgrims, while 2,670 pilgrims headed for the south Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp. The group consisted of 3,631 males, 711 females, 9 children, 237 Sadhus, and 15 Sadhvis.
DGP R.R. Swain and other senior officers attended the flag-off ceremony. The first convoy left at 5:45 a.m. for Baltal, followed by the second convoy at 6:20 a.m. for Pahalgam. Pilgrims use either the 48 km-long traditional Pahalgam route, taking four days to reach the shrine, or the shorter 14 km-long Baltal route, allowing a same-day return after paying obeisance. The pilgrimage concludes on August 19, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan and Shravan Purnima.
Extensive security measures have been implemented along the pilgrimage routes, base camps, and the shrine. Helicopter services are also available for pilgrims on both routes.
