SRINAGAR: The first batch of pilgrims for the famous and very difficult Amarnath Yatra was flagged off from the base camp in Bhagwati Nagar on Friday and the second batch left on Saturday.
A multi-level security setup was created for the pilgrims of the annual Amarnath Yatra. Security checks have been set up all across the route to avoid any untoward incidents, both natural and terrorist activities. A total of 33 accommodation centres have been set up across the route by different agencies. Radio Frequency Identification or RFIDs have also been issued to the pilgrims to keep track of their movement during the pilgrimage.
The pilgrims take the treacherous trek to the Amarnath cave to catch a glimpse of the Shiv Ling which naturally forms with the snow at the very altitude. The cave itself is located at an altitude of 3888 meters above sea level, making it one of the hardest journeys on the planet. The pilgrimage happens only once a year and takes around 62 days to complete. There are two routes for reaching the shrine. The traditional Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district is 48 kilometres long and the shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal district, which is 14 kilometres long. The pilgrimage happens on both tracks.
Lieutenant General Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the annual Amarnath Yatra on Friday. This batch comprised 3488 pilgrims and was transported using a total of 188 vehicles. The second batch comprised 4400 more pilgrims on this journey. A total of 7904 selected pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp yet.
According to the organisers, five counters have been set up for the registration of pilgrims who want to undertake this pilgrimage. They also added that over 3.5 lakh people from across the country registered themselves for the Amarnath yatra this year through the online portal for the same.
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