The Amarnath Yatra began on July 29, with the first group of pilgrims departing from the base camps at Baltal and Nunwan to visit the cave shrine in south Kashmir. The pilgrimage, which concludes on August 19, started early in the morning from the twin tracks in Anantnag and Ganderbal districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Each year, thousands of devotees journey to the 3,880-meter-high cave shrine to offer their respects. To ensure the safety of the pilgrims, teams from the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been stationed along the 300 km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Let’s explore what makes this Yatra one of the most challenging in the country.