12k pilgrims visit Amarnath; 3rd batch of 4.8k leave for ice Shivling darshan
The annual Amarnath pilgrimage continues as the third batch of over 4,800 devotees departs from Jammu. Security remains tight for the 57-day event, which involves travel to the naturally formed ice Shivling shrine.
Why it matters
The pilgrimage is a major cultural and religious event in India, requiring significant logistical and security coordination by the government.
JAMMU: The third batch of 4,812 pilgrims left for Shri Amarnath cave shrine from Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu amid chants of “Bam Bam Bhole” on Saturday, a day after 12,168 pilgrims paid obeisance to the naturally formed ice Shivling on the opening day of the 57-day annual pilgrimage.“While 2,041 pilgrims took the Baltal route, 2,771 travelled via the Pahalgam route in a convoy of 259 vehicles, including buses and private vehicles under tight security arrangements,” an official said.J&K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from Jammu base camp early Thursday.Meanwhile, the UT administration on Friday issued an advisory making advance registration mandatory for the yatra.The helicopter services remain suspended this year following the declaration of the entire yatra route as a no-fly zone.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.
The article provides a straightforward, factual account of the pilgrimage logistics without political commentary.
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