<p>The first batch of pilgrims will be flagged off from Jammu June 28, and it would reach either of the two base camps -- Baltal or Pahalgam -- the same day.<br /><br />The next day, June 29, would mark the official beginning of the pilgrimage to the cave shrine devoted to Lord Shiva, located at a height of 13,500 feet above sea level.<br />"We are prepared for the pilgrimage. All security arrangements have been put in place," Jammu zone Inspector General of Police Dilbag Singh told IANS. <br /><br />He said the pilgrims would be escorted up to the base camps -- Baltal, 110 km north of Srinagar, and Nunwan, Pahalgam, 94 km south of Srinagar.<br /><br />The security forces not only provide a protective cover to the pilgrims but also rescue them in case of any eventuality. The pilgrims have to trek high mountain passes and glaciers to reach the shrine.<br /><br />Chief Executive Officer of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) R.K. Goyal disclosed that 240,000 pilgrims have registered for the pilgrimage this year.An on-the-spot registration procedure too has been put in place at the base camps but within the daily limit of 5,000 pilgrims.<br /><br />Goyal said the pilgrimage will start June 29 with the first "darshan" and prayers at the cave shrine, and it will last until Aug 13.Last year, nearly half a million pilgrims had visited the shrine. </p>
<p>The first batch of pilgrims will be flagged off from Jammu June 28, and it would reach either of the two base camps -- Baltal or Pahalgam -- the same day.<br /><br />The next day, June 29, would mark the official beginning of the pilgrimage to the cave shrine devoted to Lord Shiva, located at a height of 13,500 feet above sea level.<br />"We are prepared for the pilgrimage. All security arrangements have been put in place," Jammu zone Inspector General of Police Dilbag Singh told IANS. <br /><br />He said the pilgrims would be escorted up to the base camps -- Baltal, 110 km north of Srinagar, and Nunwan, Pahalgam, 94 km south of Srinagar.<br /><br />The security forces not only provide a protective cover to the pilgrims but also rescue them in case of any eventuality. The pilgrims have to trek high mountain passes and glaciers to reach the shrine.<br /><br />Chief Executive Officer of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) R.K. Goyal disclosed that 240,000 pilgrims have registered for the pilgrimage this year.An on-the-spot registration procedure too has been put in place at the base camps but within the daily limit of 5,000 pilgrims.<br /><br />Goyal said the pilgrimage will start June 29 with the first "darshan" and prayers at the cave shrine, and it will last until Aug 13.Last year, nearly half a million pilgrims had visited the shrine. </p>