Amarnath Yatra 2023: Pilgrims begin their journey towards cave shrine

A batch of pilgrims began their yatra from Baltal base camp in Ganderbal, J&K to Amarnath cave on July 1. The yatra was flagged off by deputy commissioner, Ganderbal, Shyambir, along with senior officials of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and the police at the Baltal base camp. The Amarnath Yatra is a significant religious event for Hindus, and it involves trekking to the Amarnath Cave, located at an altitude of about 3,880 meters (12,730 feet) in the Himalayas.

The annual Amarnath started with thousands of pilgrims heading out from the base camp to the cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas on July 1. Credit: PTI Photo

The 62-day pilgrimage was flagged off by Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, Shyambir, along with senior officials of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and the police, at the Baltal base camp. Credit: PTI Photo

Baltal, in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district, is one of the twin routes for the annual pilgrimage. Credit: PTI Photo

The other one is the Pahalgam route in south Kashmir's Anantnag district. Credit: PTI Photo

All arrangements for the annual pilgrimage, including those related to security, have been put in place. Credit: PTI Photo

Army personnel keep vigil as a convoy of the second batch of Amarnath Yatra 2023 pilgrims leaves for Kashmir, in Jammu. Credit: PTI Photo

Officials asserted that the yatra would not be possible without the support of the local people. Credit: PTI Photo

Pilgrims on their way to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath at Baltal in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir. Credit: PTI Photo

Sadhus get themselves registered for the Amarnath Yatra 2023, at Ram Mandir base camp, in Jammu. Credit: PTI Photo