The beginning of the 46-day long annual Amarnath pilgrimage on Monday was marked with enthusiasm as the first batch of pilgrims, including men and women, started their uphill trek from the two routes of Baltal and Pahalgam.

Elaborate multi-tier security arrangements have been made on both the routes by the Army and para-military forces. Governor Satya Pal Malik, Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, was the first in paying obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum and participating in the Pratham Pooja ceremony. He prayed for sustained peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in the State.

He was accompanied by top Army officers and Umang Narula, CEO of the Shrine Board.

The Governor reviewed the arrangements made for the pilgrims at the Yatra Shrine Camp and conveyed the Shrine Board’s thanks to the State Government, Army, Central Armed Police Forces, State Police and all the other concerned agencies for their support and cooperation. He stressed the need for effective supervision and round the clock monitoring by the Camp Directors and all the functionaries involved in the management of the Yatra for ensuring smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.

The Governor lauded the people of Kashmir for making this annual pilgrimage a successful event ever since it is being observed. Appreciating the valuable support of the local people in the conduct of this Yatra, he described their role in this Yatra as a true essence of Kashmiriyat which is exemplary for its communal harmony.

Meanwhile, Umang Narula, CEO of the Shrine Board, has once again appealed to the intending pilgrims to embark on the pilgrimage only after getting medically checked and obtaining a valid Yatra Permit. This would ensure against any avoidable inconvenience to them.

Narula further appealed the Yatris to bring with them adequate woollen clothing, Jackets, warm inners, woollen socks, gloves, woollen cap, trousers, mufflers, sleeping bags, windcheaters, raincoats, waterproof trekking shoes, umbrellas in view of the harsh terrain where temperature abruptly falls to 2- 5 degree Celsius.