Pilgrims Begin Amarnath Yatra from Srinagar with High Spirits
A fresh batch of pilgrims left for the Amarnath Yatra with great enthusiasm from the Panthachowk Srinagar base camp under tight security measures on Saturday. The pilgrims headed towards the Baltal and Pahalgam yatra base camps.
Monika Agarwal’s Experience
Monika Agarwal, a pilgrim from Mumbai, shared her positive experience: “The arrangements are good and we are being taken safely. Our journey so far has been smooth. Food, stay, water – we are getting all the facilities after coming so far. It is very appreciable. Though the journey is tough, our spirits are high and we will come back after darshan. The ambience is nice.”
Hemanta’s Journey
Another pilgrim, Hemanta from Nashik, appreciated the food arrangements made by the security forces: “The BSF camp made good arrangements. We went to Pahalgam and then got to Baltal. The Jammu and Kashmir Police has also made good arrangements and supported us. Arrangements for food are at their best. You cannot see a larger bhandara like this. We went on foot. We felt good after darshan. Everyone should come to Amarnath at least once.”
Organizational Efforts
The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board organizes the Amarnath Yatra, which is divided into two routes: one through Pahalgam and the other through Baltal. Baltal serves as the camping ground for pilgrims in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. Almost all the pilgrims visiting the holy shrine said that they were satisfied with the services provided for the journey.
This year, the Amarnath Yatra is taking place amid a significant increase in the number of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
Doubts Revealed
Pilgrims -: Pilgrims are people who travel to a holy place for religious reasons. In this case, they are traveling to Amarnath, a sacred site for Hindus.
Amarnath Yatra -: Amarnath Yatra is a pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave in Jammu and Kashmir, where a naturally formed ice Shiva Lingam is worshipped by Hindus.
Srinagar -: Srinagar is the largest city and the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, a region in northern India.
Panthachowk -: Panthachowk is a place in Srinagar where the base camp for the Amarnath Yatra is located.
Monika Agarwal and Hemanta -: Monika Agarwal and Hemanta are names of two pilgrims who are part of the group traveling to Amarnath.
Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board -: The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board is an organization that manages the Amarnath Yatra and takes care of the facilities and arrangements for the pilgrims.
Terror attacks -: Terror attacks are violent acts meant to create fear, often for political reasons. In this context, they are happening in Jammu and Kashmir, making the journey more dangerous.
