Over 5,800 Devotees Set Off Under Tight Security 331,000 Registered as Faith Triumphs Over Fear
Ulfat Jaan
Srinagar July 02 : The annual Shri Amarnath Yatra has commenced, sparking optimism among Jammu and Kashmir residents that the pilgrimage will rejuvenate the region’s economy, previously impacted by a terrorist attack in Pahalgam District earlier this year that claimed the lives of 26 tourists. Many view this year’s Yatra as a catalyst for revitalization.
On Wednesday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims, marking the official start of the Yatra. Eager devotees across the Union Territory celebrated the arrival of pilgrims, heralding the beginning of the spiritual journey.
This year’s 38-day pilgrimage will run from July 3 to August 9, with devotees traveling via two routes: the traditional 48-kilometer Nunwan-Pahalgam trail in Anantnag district and the shorter but steeper 14-kilometer Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
So far, over 331,000 devotees have registered for the Yatra, signaling a strong turnout.
At the Bhagwati Nagar base camp, Lt. Governor Sinha performed a religious ceremony before formally launching the Yatra. Accompanied by local legislators, senior officials, and religious leaders, he stated, “I have officially flagged off the first batch of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, praying for the safety and spiritual fulfillment of all pilgrims visiting the sacred shrine of Lord Shiva. May Baba Amarnath bless everyone with peace.”
He noted the festive atmosphere in Jammu, with devotees from across India undeterred by past security concerns.
To ensure safety, surveillance is being conducted round-the-clock from the Integrated Command and Control Centre at Raj Bhawan, supported by a dedicated Police Control Room. An RFID tracking system has been implemented for real-time monitoring.
Medical facilities have been bolstered, with ONGC establishing 100-bed hospitals at Chandanwari and Baltal base camps. Additionally, pathways to the Amarnath Cave have been widened from six to twelve feet since 2022 for better accessibility.
Despite inclement weather, enthusiastic pilgrims chanted “Bum Bum Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev” as they embarked on their journey from Jammu. Many saw their participation as a defiance of terrorism following the April 22 Pahalgam attack.
“No threat can deter devotees. We fear nothing and will continue seeking darshan,” declared Sarwanand Patel, a pilgrim from Gujarat. Sunita, a first-time participant from Uttar Pradesh, added, “We trusted the security arrangements and are proud to be part of this historic Yatra.”
Ramesh Chander, a nine-time pilgrim, praised the administration’s efforts in ensuring smooth and safe travel.
From July 2 to August 9, traffic restrictions will be enforced along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, with daily advisories to minimize disruptions. CCTV surveillance and strict cut-off timings will regulate movement.
DIG Shridhar Patil of the Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban range emphasized that unauthorized drone activitieswill face severe penalties.
J&K BJP president Sat Sharma remarked, “The shadow of past terror incidents has been replaced by unwavering faith and devotion.”
With on-the-spot registrations now open, the Yatra is set to witness even greater participation, reinforcing its significance as a symbol of resilience and spiritual unity.
Meanwhile, The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has deployed a special ‘May I Help You’ women personnel team to assist Amarnath Yatra pilgrims who take the Baltal route to reach the cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Wednesday.
Of 581 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) companies deployed for the yatra, 219 are from the CRPF, while the rest are from forces like the BSF, ITBP, CISF, and SSB.
The CRPF has deployed a team of its women personnel wearing ‘May I Help You’ embossed orange vests along the Baltal route to help female pilgrims along the route from the base camp and the entry point at ‘Domail’.
These teams will be stationed at vital locations, officials said.
“The force is committed to conducting a safe Amarnath Yatra for the pilgrims in coordination with all stakeholders. All our teams are tasked to render timely assistance to the pilgrims and also provide a strong security cover,” CRPF deputy inspector general and joint nodal officer for the Yatra, Sudhir Kumar, said.
Kumar, who supervised the yatra last year too, said all security arrangements are in place for the event, taking place against the backdrop of the April 22 gunning down of 26 men in Pahalgam in a terrorist attack.
The CRPF has also deployed a team comprising 30 personnel as part of its mountain rescue teams (MRTs) along the two journey tracks. They will help in rescuing pilgrims in case of medical complications, which usually occur due to high altitude, and respond to any natural or man-made disaster, a senior officer said.
