Early on Saturday morning, the second group of pilgrims set out in escorted convoys for the Valley in preparation for the start of the Amarnath Yatra.
According to officials, two escorted convoys consisting of 200 vehicles carried the second batch of 4,029 Yatris as they left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the Kashmir valley.
Of these, 1,850 Yatris departed in 104 vehicles at 4 a.m. for the Baltal base camp, and 2,179 departed at 4.30 a.m. in 96 vehicles for the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp.
According to officials, “the security forces escort both convoys.”
Commencing today, the 52-day Amarnath Yatra will conclude on August 19, which also happens to be the day of Raksha Bandhan and Shravan Purnima.
To complete the Yatra, pilgrims choose between the 48 km traditional Pahalgam route and the 14 km shorter Baltal route.
While those who choose the Baltal route return the same day after Darshan, those who choose the Pahalgam route take four days to reach the shrine.
The shrine is 3,888 metres above sea level and is home to an ice stalagmite that changes colour in accordance with the moon’s phases.
The building, according to devotees, represents the legendary abilities of Lord Shiva.
To guarantee a seamless and incident-free Yatra, extensive security arrangements have been made this year at the two base camps and the cave shrine along the twin Yatra routes.
There are currently over 124 Langars (community kitchens) established at the cave shrine, transit camps, and both of the routes.
During this year’s Yatra, over 7,000 Sevadars—volunteers—are providing assistance to the pilgrims.
Beginning on July 3, railways will be adding more trains to handle the Yatri rush.
On both routes, pilgrims can also avail helicopter services.
