First batch of pilgrims reaches Amarnath Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu: Yatra kicks off from Saturday

Ahead of the commencement of the annual Amarnath yatra on July 1, a large number of pilgrims reached the Yatri Niwas Base Camp in Jammu today.  The first batch of pilgrims for the Yatra was seen in long queues outside the base camp, and in high spirits.

The first batch of Amaranth Pilgrims will be flagged off from Baghwat Nagar, Base Camp tomorrow morning. Tight security arrangements have been made at the base camp.

The 62-day yatra is an important pilgrimage for Hindus who visit the Amarnath Cave, believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva.

The pilgrimage will start from the ancient paths of Nunwan in Pahalgam and Baltal in the Ganderbal district of Kashmir. Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh: Additional Chief Secretary, Raj Kumar Goyal; Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Mandeep Kumar Bhandari yesterday took an extensive tour of the twin routes of pilgrimage to Amarnath Yatra.

Meanwhile, spot registration of Yatris and Sadhus started today in five spot registration centers of  Jammu. Two spot registration centres have been kept exclusively for the Sadhus.