Amid chants and prayers, Amarnath Yatra flagged off from Jammu

Srinagar: In a moment suffused with spiritual devotion and divine fervour, the annual Amarnath Yatra is set to begin on Thursday from the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal in Kashmir.

The 39-day annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva in south Kashmir Himalayas begins under the shadow of faith and fortitude, just weeks after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, one of the base camps of the yatra.

Early Wednesday morning, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu, invoking blessings for a “safe, comfortable, and soul-stirring journey” to the sacred abode of Baba Barfani.

The pilgrims, their hearts full of faith and lips chanting “Bam Bam Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev,” turned Jammu into a city alive with devotion and divine energy.

By Wednesday evening, the first batch is expected to reach the twin base camps in Pahalgam and Sonamarg (Baltal), where they will rest before beginning the uphill spiritual odyssey to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine nestled in the folds of the Himalayas.

This year’s yatra carries a weight far beyond the ritual; it is a journey of resilience and unwavering devotion. Just over two months ago, tragedy struck in the serene Baisaran valley of Pahalgam when terrorists unleashed a brutal attack, killing 25 tourists and a local in a targeted assault that shook the nation.

Yet, the spirit of the yatris remains unbroken.

“The eyes of the world are on this Amarnath Yatra,” LG Sinha declared on the eve of the pilgrimage. “No threat, however grave, can deter the devotion and determination of those embarking on this holy journey.”

To ensure the safety of pilgrims and to maintain the sanctity of the yatra, elaborate and multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place. The routes are being monitored 24x7 from the Integrated Command and Control Centre, with the Police Control Room maintaining constant surveillance. RFID-based tracking has been introduced to ensure every pilgrim is accounted for, and every movement is protected.

But beyond the checkpoints and command centers, it is the unwavering faith of the yatris that fuels this pilgrimage. As they trek through steep inclines and icy paths, many believe they are not merely climbing mountains—but ascending spiritually, toward divine communion with Lord Shiva, the eternal ascetic.

And as thousands more prepare to undertake the journey in the coming days, their chants will echo through the valleys, reaffirming that even in a land marked by strife, devotion endures—unyielding, unafraid, and deeply sacred.