Srinagar: On Saturday, the first day of the Yatra, around 1100 pilgrims had "Darshan" inside the sanctuary of the Amarnath Cave.
About 1100 devotees received Darshan inside the cave temple this morning at approximately 11 a.m., according to officials.
Batches of Yatris were seen off from the two base camps of Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam) by the concerned district development commissioners and other district-level senior officials in the morning towards the Cave shrine located 3888 metres above the sea-level in Kashmir Himalayas.
Tight security arrangements in addition to medical aid, food supplies, and resting areas along the route have been made on the two cave shrine routes from the Baltal and Pahalgam axis.
Locals in large numbers are helping the Yatris perform the holy pilgrimage with better convenience.
The exhaustive security arrangements, other facilities made by the administration and the warm hospitality of the local people are the highlights of this annual Yatra each year.
Devotees returning after performing the Yatra said the ice stalagmite structure known as the holy ‘Lingam’ is fully formed inside the cave shrine this year.
Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure represents the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
Yatris use either the traditional 48 km long Pahalgam base camp which takes four days to reach the cave shrine or the shorter 14 km long Baltal route.
Yatris returned to Baltal base camp the same day after performing the Yatra.
Over 125 ‘Langars’ (community kitchens) have been established along the two routes to the cave shrine and at the transit camps.
Over 7000 ‘Sevadars’ (volunteers) are serving the Yatris at these Langars.
Helicopter services are also available for the pilgrims on both routes to reach the cave shrine.
This year, 3.50 lakh pilgrims have registered for the Yatra.
The 52-day long Yatra which started on Saturday and will end on August 19 coinciding with Raksha Bandhan and Shravan Purnima festivals.
With inputs from IANS