Anantnag: Amid tight security arrangements, the first batch of Yatris left towards holy cave from Nunwan base camp, Pahalgam and Baltal base camp on Saturday morning.
Chanting religious hymns, hundreds of enthusiastic pilgrims were seen climbing mountains to reach the cave shrine housing the naturally formed ice-lingam.
Chanting ‘Bam Bam Bhole’ and ‘Jai Barfani Baba ki’, pilgrims were seen moving towards the cave to pay obeisance.
Piligrims lauded the arrangements made by J&K government.
Ram Chander, a piligrim from Maharashtra ,said that he will pray for peace and prosperity for mankind.
“Our message to everyone will be that there is no fear, there are best security arrangements and anyone can come here without any problem as people here are very helpful,”he said.
He appreciated hospitality and cooperation of people.
“I have been paying obeisance at the cave shrine regularly for the past 10 years. This year too, I am going to seek peace and prosperity for the mankind,” said another pilgrim from Chhattisgarh.
Officials said that around three lakh pilgrims have registered so far for the annual Amarnath Yatra, .
The 62-day long Yatra will conclude on August 31 this year.(Agencies)
Amarnath Yatra 2023 begins as maiden batch of Yatris leaves for holy cave
