The 57-day Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra began on Friday with the first batches of pilgrims setting out from the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam for the holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva amid one of the most extensive security and logistical deployments for the annual pilgrimage.
The yatra, which will continue until August 28, has been backed by multi-layer security, digital surveillance, RFID tracking, medical support, traffic management and round-the-clock assistance to facilitate the movement of devotees along both pilgrimage routes.
Pilgrims left the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district and the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam after security forces cleared the tracks early in the morning. Chants of “Bam Bam Bhole” echoed across both camps as devotees began the trek.
The first batch had reached the two base camps on Thursday after departing from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in security-escorted convoys.
According to officials, 4,822 pilgrims travelled in the first convoy. Of them, 2,510 reached the Nunwan base camp while 2,312 arrived at Baltal.
Elaborate security and emergency support along both routes
Authorities said comprehensive security, traffic regulation and public facilitation measures have been put in place through coordination between the civil administration, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Armed Police Forces, the Health Department and other agencies.
Dedicated assistance booths, Helping Hand teams and round-the-clock police deployment have also been established to guide pilgrims, respond to emergencies and ensure smooth movement along the yatra routes. Devotees have been advised to follow official advisories and cooperate with security personnel throughout the pilgrimage.
The annual pilgrimage is also being monitored through RFID tracking and digital surveillance systems to strengthen crowd management and safety.
Officials review arrangements at Baltal
At the Baltal base camp, Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Transport Satish Sharma, Deputy Inspector General of Armed Police Maqsood Ul Zaman, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Jatin Kishore and Senior Superintendent of Police Ganderbal Sudhanshu Dhama welcomed the pilgrims and reviewed the arrangements.
The officials interacted with devotees and wished them a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey.
Despite light rain at Baltal on Friday morning, authorities said the route remained open.
Baltal Nodal Officer Rahul Yadav said the district administration had activated comprehensive arrangements along the steeper 14-kilometre route.
“The entire district administration has made thorough preparations for a smooth Yatra from Baltal. Light drizzle is taking place, but the passage has been kept clear, and we roughly expect 10,000 people to depart for the Yatra today. Emergency shelters have been made at various places to accommodate pilgrims in case the weather fluctuates further,” he said.
Pilgrims praise facilities and security
Devotees undertaking the pilgrimage appreciated the arrangements made by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and local authorities.
“I have come for the first time, and I have come along with my family. The police, CRPF, and army are very helpful. The preparation here is unmatched,” one pilgrim said.
Another devotee travelling via the Baltal route said, “The facilities are much better than last year. The locals, the health department, and the security forces are all providing great support. I will pray that everyone stays united and happy in the country.”
Second batch leaves Jammu
Meanwhile, the second batch of pilgrims departed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu on Friday under tight security.
The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board’s Yatri Niwas at Chanderkote in Ramban district was illuminated with tricolour lights, while district authorities continued sanitation and public service arrangements for pilgrims travelling through the route.
On Thursday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of devotees from Bhagwati Nagar and wished pilgrims a safe, comfortable and spiritually fulfilling journey.
The annual pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.