Pilgrims Begin Amarnath Yatra from Pantha Chowk Base Camp in Srinagar

A new group of pilgrims started their Amarnath Yatra from the Pantha Chowk base camp in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. The pilgrims were seen standing in a queue, excited for their journey.

Happy Pilgrims

Kalpesh Purohit, one of the pilgrims, said, “We have a group of 34 people. We are very happy. The facilities are great. We salute the government.” Another pilgrim, Shravan Raj Purohit, added, “We have come from Bombay. We are very excited to have gotten the opportunity to have a glimpse of Baba Amarnath. Everyone should go on the Amarnath Yatra once in their lifetime. The facilities are great here.”

Mihir, another pilgrim, shared, “Humein Babaji ne bulaya hai (Baba Amarnath has called us). We had been planning this for years. Now we have come here. The facilities here are very good. The weather is also good. We are so happy.”

Security and Facilities

The pilgrims raised slogans of “Har Har Mahadev” as they began their journey. Police personnel were stationed at checkpoints at the Pantha Chowk base camp in Srinagar. The Yatri Niwas in Ramban was decorated with tricolor lights to ensure a comfortable stay for the pilgrims.

Basheer Ul Haq Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner of Ramban, said, “We have decorated the Yatri Niwas with tricolor lights, this pilgrimage is a matter of national pride, and people’s faith is attached to it. Our effort is that the pilgrims do not face any trouble.”

Government Measures

The 45-day annual pilgrimage is a major concern for the government due to recent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. The administration has taken extensive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims. The Amarnath Yatra is organized by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and takes place in the Kashmir Himalayas during July and August.