Amarnath yatra begins amidst chants of 'Jai Baba Burfani'

A group of 1,881 pilgrims embarked on their Amarnath yatra journey from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp on Saturday, under strict security measures, according to officials. This second batch of Amar comprised 427 women and 294 seers, traveling in 200 vehicles divided into two convoys, each escorted by security forces. (Photo: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday greeted pilgrims on the start of the Amarnath Yatra and said that the 'darshan' of Lord Shiva is known to infuse immense energy in his followers.

"My heartfelt best wishes to all pilgrims on the commencement of the holy Amarnath Yatra. This yatra associated with the darshan of Baba Barfani infuses immense energy in the devotees of Lord Shiva. May all devotees prosper with his blessings. Jai Baba Barfani," Modi said in a post on X in Hindi. (Photo: ANI)

​The annual Amarnath Yatra commenced on Saturday with the first batch of pilgrims departing from the twin base camps in Baltal and Nunwan, embarking on their journey to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas, officials reported. The pilgrimage began early in the morning along the two routes: the traditional 48-kilometer Nunwan-Pahalgam route and the shorter 14-kilometer Baltal route. (Photo: ANI)

Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of 4,603 Amarnath Yatra pilgrims on Friday morning and wished a safe journey for them. "May the blessings of Baba Amarnath ji bring peace, happiness and prosperity to everyone's life," Sinha said. (Photo: ANI)

Stringent security arrangements have been implemented to ensure the smooth conduct of the Amarnath Yatra. Authorities have significantly bolstered security measures along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) to guarantee the safe passage of pilgrims for Yatra. Additionally, CCTVs have been installed on the National Highways to enhance security and address traffic-related issues. (Photo: PTI)

The pilgrims reached the Kashmir Valley on Friday afternoon and were warmly welcomed by the administration and locals. Local Muslims also joined senior officials of police and civil administration at several locations to greet the yatris upon their arrival in the valley. (Photo: PTI)

​On Friday, pilgrims showed their registration documents before departing for the Amarnath Yatra 2024 in Jammu. The J&K administration began on-the-spot registration of devotees on Thursday in Jammu's Shalimar area for the 52-day pilgrimage. Reports indicate that over 3.50 lakh yatris have registered for this year's yatra. (Photo: ANI)

As the pilgrims departed, many displayed their Yatra Cards. All participants received RFID cards including a Rs 5 lakh insurance cover by the administration to trace their real-time location. These RFID cards were collected from designated locations in J&K before the journey and will be worn at all times during the yatra. (Photo: ANI)

Excitement was seen among the pilgrims, with children dressed as Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and many dancing in joy. (Photo: ANI)

The pilgrims chanted “Bum Bum Bhole,” “Jai Baba Burfani,” and “Har Har Mahadev,” before setting off for the two base camps in Kashmir in a convoy of 231 vehicles, escorted by CRPF personnel. (Photo: PTI)

The 52-day pilgrimage will conclude on August 19, involving a challenging trek to the Amarnath cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir. This yatra attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees each year, making security a critical concern. Amid recent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, the administration is taking extensive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims, considering both heightened security concerns and the challenging terrain of the route. (Photo: PTI)

​