By News Agency of Kashmir,
Jammu : The two-month-long Amarnath pilgrimage began here amid tight security arrangements with the first batch of 2,837 pilgrims including Sadhus’ left Jammu base camp for the world famous cave shrine in the Himalayan Mountains in South Kashmir this morning.
Official sources informed News Agency of Kashmir that the pilgrimage was formally flagged off by the Minister for Higher Education Gulchain Singh Charak around 5:00 a.m this morning. “With the blessing of the Lord Shiva, I have flagged off the first batch of pilgrims. Elaborate security measures have been taken and arrangements for board and lodging have been made by the government,” Charak told reporters after flagging off this year’s Amarnath pilgrimage.
Amarnath piligrims leaving for Phalgam
The pilgrims comprising 1846 men, 778 women and 146 children besides 67 Sadhus proceeded towards holy cave shrine in 86 vehicles including 57 buses and 29 light motor vehicles amid tight security arrangements this morning, said sources.
Sources added that the devotees will initially be allowed to go up to Chandanwari via Pahalgam from where they will leave for the 14000-ft-high holy cave shrine. “There was a lot of excitement among the pilgrims as it was a clear morning after raining for a couple of days. Chanting religious hymns and tolling bells, the pilgrims including children, women and Sadhus proceeded towards South Kashmir from Jammu base camp this morning,” maintained sources.
Sources added that the pilgrims were excited as the snow-formed Lingam of Lord Shiva is completed this year, which was a controversy last year. Tight security arrangements have been made in Jammu and Kashmir regions for the smooth and successful conduct of the two-month-long annual pilgrimage.
“Following intelligence inputs suggesting that the militants may target sensitive areas and disrupt the pilgrimage, especially in Jammu, security agencies were taking no chance and the winter capital city has been put on ‘high alert’ with three-tier security arrangements to thwart designs of any anti-national elements,” informed sources.
Sources said that more than 6,000 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have also been deployed for Yatra purposes in the state, besides Army and state police. Various religious and social organizations have also established ‘langers’ at different places for pilgrims.