Amarnath Yatra: Pilgrims express joy as they embark from Pantha Chowk base camp

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 2 (ANI): Amid heightened security, another batch of pilgrims on Tuesday embarked on their journey to the Amarnath from the Pantha Chowk base camp at Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir.
The pilgrims expressed glee over the annual pilgrimage as they were captured standing in a queue at the Pantha Chowk base camp.

"We have a group of 34 people. We are very happy. The facilities are great. We salute the government", said Kalpesh Purohit, an Amarnath pilgrim while speaking to ANI.

Another pilgrim, Shravan Raj Purohit, told ANI, "We have come from Bombay. We are very excited to have gotten the opportunity to have a glimpse of Baba Amarnath. Everyone should go on the Amarnath Yatra once in their lifetime. The facilities are great here".

"Humein Babaji ne bulaya hai (Baba Amarnath has called us). We had been planning this for years. Now we have come here. The facilities here are very good. The weather is also good. We are so happy", Mihir, another pilgrim told ANI.

The pilgrims, meanwhile, raised the slogans of "Har Har Mahadev" as they embarked on their religious journey.
Police personnel were seen standing at checkpoints at the Pantha Chowk basecamp in Srinagar.
The 'Yatri Niwas' in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir, which is built to ensure a comfortable stay for the Amarnath pilgrims was illuminated with tricolour lights.

"We have decorated the Yatri Niwas with tricolour lights, this pilgrimage is a matter of national pride, and people's faith is attached to it. Our effort is that the pilgrims do not face any trouble", said Basheer Ul Haq Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner, Ramban while speaking to ANI.
The annual yatra, which lasts for 45 days, is a major concern for the government amid the recent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
The administration has left no stone unturned to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims amidst the heightening concerns and the challenging terrain of the route.
The annual pilgrimage (Amarnath Yatra) is conducted by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.
The devotees of Lord Shiva undertake the arduous annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine located in Kashmir Himalayas in the month of July-August. (ANI)