Jammu, June 28: Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the Amarnath Yatra on Friday, marking the start of this year’s 52-day-long pilgrimage to the Himalayan cave shrine. Amid the chanting of religious hymns, 4,603 pilgrims departed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys.

Director General of Police R.R. Swain and other senior officers were present at the flagging-off ceremony. Of the 4,603 pilgrims, 1,933 are heading for the north Kashmir Baltal route, while 2,670 are bound for the south Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp. The group includes 3,631 males, 711 females, 9 children, 237 Sadhus, and 15 Sadhvis.

The first convoy left at 5:45 a.m. for the Baltal base camp, and the second convoy departed at 6:20 a.m. for the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp. Pilgrims can choose between the 48 km-long traditional Pahalgam route, which takes four days to reach the shrine, or the shorter 14 km-long Baltal route, which allows for a same-day return after paying obeisance.

This year’s pilgrimage will conclude on August 19, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan and Shravan Purnima festivals. Extensive security arrangements have been made along the pilgrimage routes, at the two base camps, and at the shrine to ensure a smooth and incident-free Yatra. Helicopter services are also available for pilgrims on both routes.