Union Minister of State for Ministry of Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje
Credit: X/@ANI
Srinagar: Union Minister of State for Ministry of Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, embarked on the sacred trek to the Holy Cave of Shri Amarnath from the Baltal base camp in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Thursday, joining thousands of pilgrims on the annual spiritual journey in the Himalayas.
Before beginning her ascent, Karandlaje visited the Baltal base camp early morning to take stock of the arrangements and interact with devotees. She expressed her heartfelt joy for being part of the 2025 Amarnath Yatra and praised the serene environment, the spirit of the pilgrims, and the development initiatives under way in the region.
“Today, we are all going to have the darshan of Bholenath. It feels wonderful… May God bless us all,” she told news agency ANI. “The atmosphere here is very pleasant. People are feeling good because development work is happening here too,” she added, referring to the improved infrastructure and facilities at the base camp.
Accompanied by a tight security detail and surrounded by chanting pilgrims, the minister joined yatris along the rugged mountain trail that leads to the revered cave shrine of Lord Shiva at an altitude of over 13,000 feet in south Kashmir Himalayas.
Her participation in the yatra comes amid massive security and logistical arrangements put in place by the Jammu and Kashmir administration to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage. The 38-day yatra officially commenced on Thursday from both Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam) routes.
The Union Minister is among several political dignitaries who are expected to visit the holy cave this year, reinforcing the national significance of the annual pilgrimage to the icy Shivling in the Amarnath cave—one of the holiest Hindu shrines.