Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the Amarnath Yatra around 5 am on Tuesday from the high-security Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu.
The batch, comprising 5,892 devotees, left for the annual pilgrimage under tight security arrangements, officials said.
The first batch includes 1,115 women, 31 children and 16 transgenders, officials added. The 38-day yatra to the 3,880-metre-high shrine will officially begin on July 3 through two routes in the Valley.
The traditional Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district is 48 km long, while the Baltal route in Ganderbal district is 14 km shorter.
After offering prayers at the base camp, the Lt Governor flagged off the yatra to the twin base camps in Kashmir. He was accompanied by local MLAs, top officials and heads of various religious organisations during the ceremony.
The pilgrimage will conclude on August 9. Officials said that over 3.31 lakh pilgrims have registered for this year’s Amarnath Yatra so far.
