Amid the resonating chants of “Bam Bam Bhole,” the third batch of 4,812 pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu on Saturday to undertake the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.
According to officials, the pilgrims left for the Kashmir Valley early in the morning to reach the holy cave shrine through the twin routes of Baltal and Pahalgam.
Of the total pilgrims, 2,041 devotees are scheduled to undertake the pilgrimage via the Baltal route, while 2,771 pilgrims will travel through the traditional Pahalgam route. The convoy comprised 259 vehicles, including buses and private vehicles, which departed from the base camp under elaborate security arrangements.
Officials said the convoy was escorted under stringent security measures to ensure the safe movement of pilgrims along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and towards the designated Yatra routes.
The annual pilgrimage formally commenced on Thursday after Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday issued an important advisory for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrims, reiterating that advance registration is mandatory for undertaking the pilgrimage. The administration stated that the daily number of pilgrims permitted on the Yatra routes has been capped in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court to ensure the safety, security, and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
Authorities have urged devotees to travel strictly on their allotted dates and comply with all guidelines issued by the administration for the successful and safe completion of the annual pilgrimage.
