Amarnath Yatra begins today amid tight security arrangements; pilgrimage to conclude on August 11

The Amarnath Yatra has begun today amid tight security arrangements. The pilgrimage resumed this year after three-year suspension. In 2019, the Yatra was cancelled midway as the Centre was planning to abrogate Article 370. The Amarnath Yatra did not take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

TN National Desk

Updated Jun 30, 2022, 09:32 IST

Amarnath Shrine (File image)

Photo : ANI

Srinagar: The Amarnath Yatra has begun on Thursday morning. The pilgrimage resumed after a three-year suspension. In 2019, the Yatra was cancelled midway in the view of Centre's plan to abrogate Article 370. The Amarnath Yatra did not take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tight security arrangements have been made by the Jammu and Kashmir administration amid terror threats.

On Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims from the Jammu base camp. The 43-day pilgrimage has commenced from the two base camps, 48-km Nunwan in south Kashmir's Anantnag and 14-km shorter Baltal in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district.

The Amarnath Shrine of Lord Shiva is located at the height of 3,880 metres in the upper reaches of the Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir. The Yatra will conclude on Raksha Bandhan on August 11.

Also Read: Amarnath Yatra 2022 start date and documents needed for participation: Check out the details of the annual pilgrimage

Ahead of the pilgrimage, the Jammu and Kashmir government issued the guidelines. As per the guidelines, a pilgrim would be required to mandatorily produce their Aadhaar card. With this document, a devotee will not be allowed to take part in the Yatra.

On Wednesday, Sinha held a meeting with senior political leaders at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar to discuss arrangements and management of the pilgrimage. A statement from Raj Bhavan said, "The Lt. Governor observed that sacred pilgrimage strengthens our faith in the goodness of mankind and its successful conduct is responsibility of every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir."

Sinha, in the statement, said, "Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is a reflection of our composite culture and people belonging to all the faiths are contributing to make it successful." The political leaders who participated in the meeting included Farooq Abdullah, MY Tarigami, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Muzzafar Shah, Altaf Bukhari, Ravinder Raina and Hakeem Mohammed.

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