During his visit to the Baltal Base camp, Thaosen extensively reviewed the security measures being implemented to ensure foolproof security of pilgrims. He also visited the tent city and engaged in constructive dialogues with the camp commanders, local officials, Yatris as well as the bhanda
A langar (community kitchen) was put together for pilgrims making the pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave at Battal Ballian, Industries Estate, in the Udhampur district.
Kanwariyas (pilgrims) visit places like Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch holy water from River Ganga and then worship Lord Shiva with it.
As the first batch of pilgrims started its journey towards the Amarnath cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday morning, Aarti was performed at the shrine.
Authorities closed the Badrinath National Highway 7 (NH 7) at Chhinka in the State's Chamoli district leaving many commuters, including pilgrims and tourists travelling to and returning from the famed Badrinath shrine.
The pilgrims will undertake a 12-km journey from the base camp to the holy Amarnath cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas located at an altitude of about 13,000 feet.
With Amarnath Yatra all set to begin on Saturday, the Mountain Rescue Teams of Jammu and Kashmir Police conducted mock exercises on both routes-Pahalgam and Baltal axis, in preparation for the yatra.
The Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, took stock of food and lodging of the pilgrims, security, functioning of Joint Control Room, langer stalls, registration counters, power and water supply, health facilities, sanitation, transportation, de