Amid tight security arrangements, the annual Amarnath yatra in south Kashmir Himalayas has started from Baltal route in Ganderbal district, with 7900 pilgrims leaving for the holy cave shrine on the inaugural day. J & K governor N N Vohra, who is also the chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), and his wife were the first to pay obeisance at the holy cave.
J & K GUV OFFERS PRAYERS AT AMARNATH ON 1st DAY OF YATRA
Vohra prayed for sustained peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in the state. He also participated in the “Pooja ceremonyâ€.
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The pilgrims, who had reached Baltal base camp on Friday evening, started the arduous 16-km journey to the cave shrine on Saturday morning while chanting hymns and religious slogans. The yatra was also scheduled to commence from the traditional 45-km Pahalgam route in Anantnag district but was deferred due to non-clearance of snow along the track
