NEW DELHI: On Saturday, Frist July, Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended warm greetings to the devoted pilgrims embarking on the sacred journey of the Amarnath Yatra. He expressed utmost confidence in the administration's meticulous arrangements to ensure the utmost convenience of the devotees.

The 62-day-long annual pilgrimage to the revered cave shrine of Amarnath commenced on July 1, soaring to an elevation of 3,880 meters in the picturesque South Kashmir Himalayas. This sacred expedition will continue to bless the souls of the faithful till August 31.

"The pilgrimage to Shri Amarnath Ji stands as an emblem of the unshakable traditions and profound beliefs of the 'Sanatan' culture. Today marks the initiation of this momentous pilgrimage," tweeted Amit Shah, in Hindi.

In the early hours of Friday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, serving Jammu and Kashmir, flagged off the inaugural batch of pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar camp in Jammu. Embarking from their base camp in Baltal, nestled in the heart of central Kashmir's Ganderbal district, this dedicated group commenced their spiritual odyssey towards the sacred cave shrine on Saturday morning.

The Home Minister himself has been vigilantly overseeing all aspects of the annual pilgrimage, ensuring flawless arrangements.

In the previous month, he conducted a comprehensive review of the security measures alongside all stakeholders, providing crucial directives for necessary actions. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, in line with Shah's instructions, meticulously scrutinized the security arrangements.

Over three lakh pilgrims have already registered themselves for this divine sojourn. Pilgrims can choose between the traditional 48-kilometer Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district or the shorter 14-kilometer yet challenging Baltal route to reach the hallowed shrine. As an added layer of security, drones and canines are being deployed, coupled with aerial surveys to counteract potential terrorist threats and to prepare for any natural calamities, as per informed sources.

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