Amarnath Yatra 2025: J-K LG Manoj Sinha Flags Off First Batch Of Pilgrims From Jammu
The 38-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high holy shrine will commence on July 3 from the Valley via the twin tracks.
Amarnath Yatra 2025: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday flagged off first batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims from the Yatri Niwas base camp in Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu amid the chants of ' Har Har Mahadev ' and ' Bam Bam Bhole '.
'Flagged off first batch of pilgrims of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2025 from Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp. Wishing all spiritual seekers a safe & comfortable journey to the holy abode of Lord Shiva and deeply soul-stirring experience. Prayed to Baba Amarnath for peace & blessings to all," the office of LG said in a post on X.
Flagged off first batch of pilgrims of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2025 from Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp. Wishing all spiritual seekers a safe & comfortable journey to the holy abode of Lord Shiva and deeply soul-stirring experience. Prayed to Baba Amarnath for peace & blessings to all. pic.twitter.com/2JIoxvAD4G — Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) July 2, 2025
The 38-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high holy shrine will commence on July 3 from the Valley via the twin tracks — the traditional 48-kilometre Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter (14 kilometres) but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The yatra will conclude on August 9.
Before the flag-off, LG Sinha offered prayers at the Yatri Niwas base camp. The devotees will be ferried to the twin base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal amid heavy security escort, traffic restrictions and area domination along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the officials said.
Devotees Undeterred By Security Concerns
A devotee named Shalu, who is part of the first batch, said she was happy with the arrangements and felt completely safe.
'…We are delighted… We waited for it for an entire year. The arrangements are excellent, from food to accommodation. There is nothing to be scared of. The security is perfect," Shalu told ANI.
Another devotee, Akanksha, said, '…We planned to be a part of the first batch. We were not scared because we knew that the security would be adequate… The arrangements are very good; food, accommodation, sanitation, and all facilities are very good…"
Suman Ghosh, also among the first pilgrims, said, '…We pray that everybody gets the Darshan in peace. There is nothing to fear. The Indian Army and other security forces are here."
#WATCH | Jammu | A devotee, part of the first batch of Shri Amarnath Yatra, Suman Ghosh says, '… We pray that everybody gets the Darshan in peace. There is nothing to fear. The Indian Army and other security forces are here…" pic.twitter.com/W0iZ3JNXGo — ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2025
Intense Security
The security agencies including the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and other agencies have launched full-scale surveillance and verification operations in a bid to thwart any potential threats along the pathway.
Tight security is in place for the annual pilgrimage, which is taking place after two months of the Pahalgam attack when terrorists opened fire on tourists, killing 26 people.
A total of 581 companies from various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) alongside personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police have been deployed for the Amarnath Yatra 2025.
Jammu Police has also set up several checkpoints across the city in coordination with paramilitary forces as part of daily anti-sabotage inspections. These will remain active 24×7 along highways, city outskirts, and near the base camp.
Advanced tools like Facial Recognition Systems (FRS) are also being deployed at crowded areas. Police are also conducting random checks at hotels, guesthouses, and lodgment centres, targeting suspicious movement. For the first time, jammers would be installed to protect the convoys from potential threats.
The CRPF has also rolled out a robust multi-layered security plan along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) to ensure the safety and security of the pilgrims. Jammu-Srinagar Highway is one of the vital routes for thousands of pilgrims.
The CRPF has intensified surveillance, deployed K-9 (dog) squads alongside its personnel along the vital Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, a key route used by thousands of pilgrims, and strengthened highway patrols, with a special focus on sensitive stretches, such as the Udhampur sector.
In addition to these measures, a comprehensive deployment will include Road Opening Parties (ROPs) to secure and clear the routes, Quick Action Teams (QATs) for immediate response to threats, Bomb Disposal Squads (BDS) will detect and neutralise explosives, and K9 units (specially trained sniffer dogs) and drones will be used for aerial surveillance.
Amarnath Yatra 2025
This year's Yatra has been trimmed to 38 days, a strategic move to lessen threat exposure while retaining the pilgrimage's essence.
The Amarnath Yatra is an annual Hindu pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Cave Shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva, located at an altitude of about 3,888 meters in the hills of Jammu and Kashmir. The cave houses a naturally formed ice Shivling, believed to represent Lord Shiva, and draws lakhs of devotees every year.
The Yatra is typically held during the Shravan month (July to August) as per the Hindu calendar, under the supervision of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) and with coordinated support from security and civil administration.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Amarnath Yatra
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First Published:
July 02, 2025, 07:32 IST
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