SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Chants of “Bam Bam Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev” echoed through Kashmir valley Wednesday as the first convoy of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims crossed Qazigund-Banihal tunnel, marking the start of the annual Himalayan pilgrimage under unprecedented security.
Garlanded with flowers and greeted with traditional Kashmiri hospitality, the pilgrims — part of a 5,892-strong batch — were flagged off from the Jammu base camp at Bhagwati Nagar early morning by lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha. A convoy of 310 vehicles carried the devotees toward the sacred Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir.
“Undeterred by recent terrorist activities, devotees of Lord Shiva are arriving in huge numbers, demonstrating their immense faith,” said Sinha. “I hope this year’s yatra will be even more historic than previous years.”
The pilgrimage, running from July 3 to Aug 9, is taking place amid heightened security following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26, mostly tourists. A multi-layered security grid with advanced surveillance technology blankets the region. Pilgrims have been advised to travel only in designated convoys, with a separate govt advisory warning journalists against disguising themselves as yatris.
The twin routes to the shrine — Pahalgam (36-48km, 3–5 days) and Baltal (14km, 1–2 days) —remain under constant vigil. Authorities warned pilgrims not to arrive before scheduled dates and reiterated that misrepresentation of identity, especially by media, would result in strict action.
Among the first-day pilgrims: 1,043 women, 31 children, 16 trans people, 335 sadhus, and 72 sadhvis. Many will trek on foot or via ponies, palkis, or helicopters toward the 3,888m-high cave shrine that houses the naturally formed ice Shivling.
Rain fell. Conch shells blew. Hymns filled the air at Yatri Niwas in Jammu. The spiritual energy of Amarnath Yatra surged forward — undaunted, united, unshaken.
“No matter how many bombs are hurled, devotees will not be deterred,” said Sarvanand Patel from Gujarat. Ramesh Chander added: “We pray that everybody gets darshan in peace. Army and security forces are here.”
Manoj Kumar from UP echoed the sentiment: “There is no fear among us. We have faith in our Baba Amarnath-ji and the forces.” Ram Prasad, another UP devotee, said terrorist threats will never shake their spiritual resolve.
J&K deputy CM Surinder Choudhary welcomed pilgrims at Banihal and raised the political pitch by expressing hope that “the next Amarnath Yatra would take place in a full-fledged state”. He claimed LG Sinha performed a special puja praying for the restoration of statehood — though BJP did not immediately comment.
At Baltal base camp, BJP spokesperson and J&K Waqf Board chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi reviewed facilities and met officials and service providers. “The yatra is a powerful symbol of communal harmony in Kashmir,” she said. “It represents Hindu-Muslim unity, and we are all committed to strengthening that bond.”
Garlanded with flowers and greeted with traditional Kashmiri hospitality, the pilgrims — part of a 5,892-strong batch — were flagged off from the Jammu base camp at Bhagwati Nagar early morning by lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha. A convoy of 310 vehicles carried the devotees toward the sacred Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir.
“Undeterred by recent terrorist activities, devotees of Lord Shiva are arriving in huge numbers, demonstrating their immense faith,” said Sinha. “I hope this year’s yatra will be even more historic than previous years.”
The pilgrimage, running from July 3 to Aug 9, is taking place amid heightened security following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26, mostly tourists. A multi-layered security grid with advanced surveillance technology blankets the region. Pilgrims have been advised to travel only in designated convoys, with a separate govt advisory warning journalists against disguising themselves as yatris.
The twin routes to the shrine — Pahalgam (36-48km, 3–5 days) and Baltal (14km, 1–2 days) —remain under constant vigil. Authorities warned pilgrims not to arrive before scheduled dates and reiterated that misrepresentation of identity, especially by media, would result in strict action.
Among the first-day pilgrims: 1,043 women, 31 children, 16 trans people, 335 sadhus, and 72 sadhvis. Many will trek on foot or via ponies, palkis, or helicopters toward the 3,888m-high cave shrine that houses the naturally formed ice Shivling.
Rain fell. Conch shells blew. Hymns filled the air at Yatri Niwas in Jammu. The spiritual energy of Amarnath Yatra surged forward — undaunted, united, unshaken.
“No matter how many bombs are hurled, devotees will not be deterred,” said Sarvanand Patel from Gujarat. Ramesh Chander added: “We pray that everybody gets darshan in peace. Army and security forces are here.”
Manoj Kumar from UP echoed the sentiment: “There is no fear among us. We have faith in our Baba Amarnath-ji and the forces.” Ram Prasad, another UP devotee, said terrorist threats will never shake their spiritual resolve.
J&K deputy CM Surinder Choudhary welcomed pilgrims at Banihal and raised the political pitch by expressing hope that “the next Amarnath Yatra would take place in a full-fledged state”. He claimed LG Sinha performed a special puja praying for the restoration of statehood — though BJP did not immediately comment.
At Baltal base camp, BJP spokesperson and J&K Waqf Board chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi reviewed facilities and met officials and service providers. “The yatra is a powerful symbol of communal harmony in Kashmir,” she said. “It represents Hindu-Muslim unity, and we are all committed to strengthening that bond.”
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