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The annual Amarnath Yatra commenced on Saturday, with the first group of pilgrims departing from the twin base camps in Baltal and Nunwan to begin their journey to the 3880-meter-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas.

 

The yatra set off early in the morning on the twin tracks—the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route and the 14-km Baltal route.

 

VIDEO | Amarnath Yatra 2024: The first batch of devotees begins their trek from Domail at Baltal base camp, Jammu and Kashmir, earlier today.

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— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 29, 2024

Officials mentioned that the groups of pilgrims on the twin routes were given a ceremonial send-off by the respective deputy commissioners and senior police and civil administration officials.

 

VIDEO | Community kitchens (langars) have been set up by social and religious groups at Nunwan, Pahalgam, the base camp of annual #AmarnathYatra.#AmarnathYatra2024

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/vlDhMMdTGU

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 29, 2024

 

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the initial contingent of 4,603 pilgrims from the Yatri Niwas base camp in Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu on Friday morning.

 

The local administration and residents warmly greeted the pilgrims at the Kashmir Valley in the afternoon.

 

The pilgrims will worship at the cave shrine containing a naturally formed ice lingam.

 

Strict security measures have been implemented to ensure the smooth running of the pilgrimage.

 

Thousands of security personnel from various forces, including the police, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and other paramilitary forces, have been stationed to guarantee absolute security. Aerial monitoring will also be conducted.

 

The 52-day journey will end on August 19.