Amid loud chanting of slogans of “Bum Bum Bhole, Jai Baba Barfani and Har Har Mahadev’’, the first batch of pilgrims to Shri Amarnath was flagged off at dawn on Friday from Jammu by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. At the Bhagwati Nagar base camp from where the yatra will begin every day for the next 52 days, people had started putting their luggage into the vehicles as early as 3 am.
In the first batch, 4,603 pilgrims began their journey by private cars, government buses, mini tempos, and the cavalcade was provided security by CRPF and the local police. DGP of JKP R R Swain, senior BJP leader D S Rana, former Mayor Rajendra Sharma and others were among the dignitaries who were present at the venue at the time of flagging off.
Among the pilgrims that began their journey today, there were some who will move to Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district. A large number of pilgrims will be travelling to Nunwan (Pahalgam). The pilgrimage will start early on Saturday morning for both Baltal and Nunwan camp. Those undertaking pilgrimage from Baltal will undertake an arduous climb of 14 km and are expected to return to Baltal late in the evening. As such, within a day of about 14 to 16 hours, these pilgrims travel at least 28 km.
On the other hand, the pilgrimage route to Shri Amareshwar (Amarnath) cave from Pahlgam is much longer, at least 48 km one way. It usually takes five to six days for the pilgrims on this traditional route to complete the journey. Pissu Top, Mahagunas Top and Panchtarni are usual stops where pilgrims make overnight halts on this route.
The Baltal route was not used much till 2004 by the pilgrims except for a few hardy ones and the security forces. However, some unsavoury political developments that year virtually forced the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) to divert some pilgrims to the Baltal route. Since then, it is two decades that Baltal has not looked back and is steadily becoming the preferred pilgrimage route.
After flagging off the first batch of pilgrims, LG Sinha sought help of the locals in making the yatra a grand success. Addressing the media, Sinha said: “The Jammu & Kashmir administration has taken many steps to make the yatra a hassle-free and safe journey for the pilgrims. Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.’’
Taking to X, Sinha posted: “Flagged off first batch of devotees for the pilgrimage to the holy cave of Shri Amarnath ji. My best wishes to all the pilgrims for a safe, blessed and spiritually enriching journey. May the blessings of Baba Amarnath Ji bring peace, happiness & prosperity to everyone’s life.’’
Meanwhile, thousands of Shri Amarnath pilgrims have started reaching Jammu for the onward journey to Kashmir and the holy cave located at 13,000 feet elevation. In the first batch flagged off on Friday, there were 3,631 men, 711 women, 252 sadhus and nine children. It is a common trend that the number of men is usually four to five times as compared to women.
Speaking on the occasion, senior BJP leader D S Rana said: “By the grace of Bhole Shanker, the yatra will bring peace and happiness. It will be a good experience for pilgrims who have arrived here in Jammu from all over the country. We welcome them and extend our greetings to them.’’
