Amarnath Yatra begins in Kashmir

Srinagar: The first batch of pilgrims set out from the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam for a cave shrine in south Kashmir on Monday as the annual Amarnath Yatra flagged off on Monday amid tight security.

Around 12,000 people arrived on Sunday morning at the two base camps in Jammu and Kashmir state for the pilgrimage being made to Amarnath cave every year by scores of devotees, mostly Hindus, on challenging mountainous terrain.

Despite inclement weather, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has put in place all the arrangements while the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the state police and the Army have stepped up efforts to provide the three-tier security cover to the Yatra.

Stringent security arrangements, including the installation of CCTV cameras and X-ray machines for checking the baggage of pilgrims and tourists, have been made to ensure that the yatra is peaceful.

The annual pilgrimage circles around a cave that is surrounded by snowy mountains and is covered with snow most time of the year except for a short period of time in summer when it is open for pilgrims.

Inside the 130 feet high Amarnath cave, a natural Shiva lingam is formed from accumulating frost and ice from May to August, reaching its height during the summer festival, and gradually wanes thereafter.

Lakhs of devotees traverse the arduous trail on foot, either from Srinagar or from Pahalgam to visit the cave as scores of makeshift tea-stalls and food shops sprout for the yatra that will last for 39 days this year and conclude on Aug 2, coinciding with Rakhsha Bandhan.