The annual Amarnath Yatra officially began today as Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu. The flag-off ceremony took place in the early morning hours under unprecedented security measures, following recent concerns including a terror attack near Pahalgam earlier this year. About 5,880 pilgrims departed in the first group, chanting “Har Har Mahadev” and “Bam Bam Bhole” as they began their 38-day spiritual journey to the sacred Amarnath Cave Shrine in the Himalayas.

To ensure safety, the administration has deployed over 50,000 personnel from the CRPF, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and Indian Army along the pilgrimage routes. Drones, bomb squads, sniffer dogs (K9 units), and facial recognition systems are operational at key points. All pilgrims have been provided with RFID tracking devices, and the entire Yatra corridor has been declared a No-Fly Zone, with a ban on drones and balloons for security reasons.

The 2025 Amarnath Yatra will run from July 3 to August 9, allowing pilgrims to travel via two main routes: the Baltal route (14 km), which is steeper but shorter, and the Pahalgam route (48 km), which is longer but more gradual. So far, more than 3.31 lakh pilgrims have registered for the pilgrimage. To support the journey, the government has arranged for mobile medical units, oxygen booths, sanitation services, community kitchens (langars), and temporary shelters. In case of emergencies, helicopter evacuation facilities are also in place.

At the flag-off event, LG Manoj Sinha extended his best wishes to the pilgrims, emphasizing the importance of a safe and disciplined Yatra. He appealed to all yatris to follow safety guidelines, travel in organized convoys, and stay connected with officials throughout their journey.

Despite the tight security and high alert, the enthusiasm among devotees remains strong as they proceed on their sacred pilgrimage to one of Hinduism’s holiest sites.