52-DAY AMARNATH YATRA BEGINS ON 29 JUNE ,SECURITY TIGHTENED IN KASHMIR VALLEY

Why in News ?

The first batch of pilgrims arrived in the Kashmir Valley on 28 June  for the annual Amarnath Yatra, which starts on 29 June.

Source- TH

About the news –

  • The pilgrimage is under heightened security due to a militant threat, following a June 9 attack that killed nine pilgrims and injured 33.
  • J&K Director-General of Police R.R. Swain emphasized the importance of adhering to cutoff timings and remaining vigilant.
  • J&K Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of 4,603 pilgrims from the Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu.
  • Elaborate security arrangements are in place for the pilgrimage, including a three-tier security setup at the base camp in Bhagwati Nagar.
  • This year’s Yatra will last 52 days, with pilgrims trekking from base camps in Pahalgam and Sonmarg.
  • Elaborate security arrangements are in place for the pilgrimage.
About Amarnath Yatra:

  • The Amarnath Yatra is an annual pilgrimage undertaken by thousands of devotees to the Amarnath Cave, located in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The Amarnath Cave is revered for its natural ice lingam, which is believed to be a physical manifestation of Lord Shiva. The ice lingam waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon, attracting devotees who consider it a divine symbol.
  • The cave is situated at an altitude of approximately 3,888 meters (12,756 feet) in the Himalayas. Pilgrims typically embark on the trek from one of two base camps: Pahalgam and Baltal
  • The Amarnath Yatra usually takes place over 52 days during the summer months of July and August.
  • The exact dates are determined according to the Hindu lunar calendar and are announced annually by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB).