The Amarnath Yatra is one of the most revered pilgrimages for Hindus. The pilgrimage commenced its 2024 journey today with the first batch of pilgrims setting off for the sacred Amarnath Cave in Jammu and Kashmir. This annual pilgrimage attracts thousands of devotees from across India and around the world.
The First Batch Of Pilgrims For Amarnath Yatra
First flight for Amarnath Yatra took off from Srinagar on 29.06.2024 with 4 pilgrims in the presence of Sh. Javed Anjum, Airport Director and other higher officials.@MoCA_GoI @AAI_Official pic.twitter.com/SIqTnu9TwN
— Srinagar Airport (@SrinagarAirport) June 29, 2024
The first group of pilgrims to visit the sacred cave at Amarnath began their yearly journey on Saturday, departing from the Baltal base camp in the Ganderbal region of Jammu and Kashmir. Amid strict security measures, the first group of 4,603 pilgrims arrived in the Kashmir valley on Friday. The 52-day trip this year would end on August 19. Every year, the Amarnath Yatra is conducted along two routes. The conventional 48-kilometre is the Nunwan-Pahalgam route in the Anantnag district. The shorter but more difficult is the 14-kilometre Baltal route in the Ganderbal district.
To guarantee a smooth yatra, extensive preparations have been made, including three-tier security, area dominance, complex route deployment, and checkpoints. Over 3.50 lakh people have reportedly enrolled for the yatra this year. With the help of more than 6,000 volunteers, up to 125 community kitchens, or langars, have been established along the two paths leading to the cave shrine. Due to its geographic location, the Amarnath Cave is only accessible for two months. It is only accessible during the Shravan months in the Hindu calendar, ‘Shravani Mela’ in July and August.
Amarnath Cave, The Holy Shrine
A very warm welcome to the devotees of Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2024.This holy Yatra is a spiritual and transformative experience for the pilgrims who trek to the sacred Amarnath Cave. #AmarnathYatra #JammuAndKashmir #pahalgam #sonamarg #pilgrimage @diprjk pic.twitter.com/5Zb51RKkKS
— Jammu & Kashmir Tourism (@JandKTourism) June 28, 2024
The Amarnath Cave holds immense religious significance in Hinduism. According to legend, it was in this cave that Lord Shiva revealed the secrets of immortality and the universe to his consort, Goddess Parvati. The origins of the Amarnath Yatra date back thousands of years, with references found in ancient Hindu scriptures. At 12,756 feet above sea level and 141 kilometres from Srinagar, the holy cave of Amarnath is situated in the Ladar Valley, which is primarily covered with snow-capped mountains and glaciers.
The Amarnath Yatra is more than just a trek to a holy site; it is a spiritual odyssey. For the pilgrims, the journey to the Amarnath Cave is a profound spiritual experience. The sight of the holy ice lingam is considered a divine blessing. Many pilgrims describe the moment as a transformative experience.
Cover image credits: Flickr