Amarnath Yatra set to begin today

The first batch of pilgrims bound for Amarnath left for the Pahalgam and Baltal base camps on Tuesday. The yatra will officially begin on June 29.

The first batch of pilgrims bound for Amarnath left for the Pahalgam and Baltal base camps on Tuesday. The yatra will officially begin on June 29.

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The 2,029 pilgrims left the Jammu Yatri Bhawan early in the morning. Tourism minister Nawang Rigzin Jora flagged off the convoy of 136 vehicles.

This year, 45 days have been allotted for the yatra, last year the period was 60 days. The curtailment had sparked off a confrontation between Jammu-based religious organisations and the government.

“Governor N N Vohra and I have taken stock of the routes to Baltal and Pahalgam,” said Jora. “The conditions are congenial.”