Thirty-six Amarnath Yatra pilgrims sustained minor injuries after the last vehicle of the Pahalgam convoy lost control and collided with four-stranded vehicles at the Chanderkot Langer site in Ramban district on Saturday, stated an official.
While speaking to ANI, one of the pilgrims, Rajesh Giri, who has been walking barefoot all his life, said, "... I am barefoot. I have been barefoot for the last 40 years since birth... I am going to Shri Amarnath Ji for the 25th time. I will go on foot. I will pray that our Bharat continues
"More than 20,000 devotees have 'darshan' of Baba Amarnath so far. They are coming from different parts of the country. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are welcoming them with an open heart. J&K administration, the government and the Shrine board have expanded their services to the peopl
The annual pilgrimage, which started on Thursday, is being conducted via the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. The Jammu-Srinagar Highway is a key route for the thousands of pilgrims heading to the holy site.
Speaking to ANI on Thursday, the BJP MLA said, "Today, lakhs of devotees are going for Amarnath Yatra. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are not afraid of anyone now, and all the conspiracies of Pakistan will fail."
"Kishtwar district has made solid preparations on the Kishtwar-Batote route. Four checkpoints are set up on the NH244, with the main checkpoint at Baggar. When the Amarnath Yatra crosses this point, our police party ensures that no unscrupulous elements pass through," he told ANI.
The second batch of devotees departed from Pahalgam for the Amarnath Yatra on Friday morning. Amid the backdrop of the Pahalgam terror attack, devotees lauded the arrangements and said there is nothing to be afraid of.
Pilgrims chanted bhajans and performed Lord Shiva's Aarti as they reached the Holy Amarnath Cave. The first batch of pilgrims had begun their trek towards the Holy Cave of Shri Amarnath from the Baltal base camp this morning. Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje was also a part of this batch
Kashmir Police has issued an advisory for devotees undertaking the Amarnath Yatra, urging them to travel only in designated convoys. The 38-day pilgrimage commenced on Thursday and is taking place in the shadow of the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead.
Speaking to ANI during her visit, she said, "Today, we are all going to have the darshan of Bholenath. It feels wonderful... May God bless us all. The atmosphere here is very pleasant... people are feeling good because development work is happening here too..."
Authorities have set up 17 medical camps at langar sites, established mini hospitals, and deployed ambulances across Ramban district as the 38-day Amarnath pilgrimage commences today, weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead following religious profiling.