Srinagar, July 2: The first batch of Amarnath pilgrims received a warm welcome at Chandarkot in Ramban district as the annual Amarnath Yatra commenced with elaborate security and administrative arrangements across Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials, local residents and volunteers welcomed the pilgrims at a langar set up at Chandarkot on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway. The Ramban district administration, civil society members and several langar organisations greeted the devotees and wished them a safe pilgrimage.
Amarnath Pilgrims Receive Warm Welcome
Senior officials, including DIG Sargun Shukla, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan, SSP Arun Gupta and SSP Traffic Raja Adil Hameed, attended the welcome programme.
The pilgrims reached Chandarkot after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first convoy from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu. Authorities arranged food, drinking water and other essential facilities for the pilgrims at the transit point.
The district administration, police, Army, Central Armed Police Forces, Traffic Police, Health Department, SDRF, Fire Services and other agencies have deployed extensive measures to ensure the safety and smooth movement of the pilgrims.
The 57 day Amarnath Yatra began on July 3 and will conclude on August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. Pilgrims will travel through the traditional 48 kilometre Nunwan Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14 kilometre Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
Authorities have also completed arrangements for on the spot registration, RFID cards, security and infrastructure. According to official figures, more than 3.5 lakh devotees have registered for this year’s pilgrimage.
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