Sri Amarnath Yatra 2012 has finally begun from both Pahalagam and Baltal  base camps despite it rained heavily a day before.Pilgrims  from both the base camps started their journey to the cave shrine where Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra offered prayers amid holy chants.
“The pooja was held inside the cave shrine this morning, marking the beginning of this year’s yatra to the holy cave of Amarnathji,” Chief Executive Officer Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) Naveen K Chaudhury said.
Over 18,000 pilgrims have performed darshan of the holy Ice Lingum of Lord Shiva at the 3,888 metre-high Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said today.
Route of Amarnath Yatra
Earlier, inclement weather had delayed the scheduled start of the pilgrimage from the camps. An official of the yatra control room here said that the pilgrims were not allowed in the wee hours as some parts of the track on both Baltal and Pahalgam routes had been rendered slippery due to overnight rains.
The authorities have made adequate arrangements for the registered pilgrims but a significantly higher number of pilgrims have arrived in Pahalgam and Baltal, the official said.
He said, however, only registered pilgrims will be allowed to proceed towards the holy cave.
The Governor, who is also the chairman of SASB, upon his return from the shrine, visited the Nunwan base camp here and interacted with the pilgrims. He also took stock of the arrangements made for them.
Meanwhile, the second batch of pilgrims today left for the cave shrine from Jammu amid tight security.
As many as 2,185 pilgrims, including 985 males, 578 females, 322 children and 300 sadhus left in 66 vehicles from Bagwatinagar base camp here around 0425 hours for Amarnath, Police Control Room officials said.
With a CRPF escort, the yatra convoy has crossed the Chanderkote area in Ramban district, he added.
After today’s batch, as many as 4,483 pilgrims have left Jammu for the Amarnath. Over 3,500 fresh pilgrims have arrived in the city from various parts of the country for the cave shrine.
The first batch of the pilgrims, which had reached the Pahalagam and Baltal base camps in South Kashmir, has left for the cave shrine this morning, marking the beginning of yatra in Kashmir, which will conclude on August two.