Srinagar: The second batch of pilgrims has embarked on their journey to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in the south Kashmir Himalayas, departing from the Jammu base camp amid tight security. Over 1,800 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp on Saturday, June 29, to undertake the sacred pilgrimage.

Earlier on June 29, the first batch of pilgrims began their journey from the twin base camps in Baltal and Nunwan. The pilgrimage started from two routes: the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the shorter, but steeper, 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal. At an altitude of 3,880 meters, the Amarnath cave shrine has already seen around 30,000 pilgrims completing their journey in the first two days of the annual Yatra.

Stringent security measures have been implemented to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. Thousands of security personnel from the police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and other paramilitary forces are deployed along the route, with aerial surveillance being carried out to monitor the situation.

The 52-day pilgrimage will conclude on August 19. Meanwhile, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), a central public sector undertaking, has established two 100-bed hospitals at the twin Amarnath base camps in Kashmir. ONGC announced that these medical facilities would continue to operate even after the conclusion of the annual Yatra.

In 2023, more than 4.5 lakh pilgrims visited the cave shrine, marking a significant turnout for the annual event.

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