Jammu. The wait for the devotees traveling to Baba Barfani from all over the country is over. The first batch of Amarnath Yatris left for the holy cave of Baba Barfani from Jammu at around 4.15 am on Friday.
After offering prayers, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and Chairman of the Amarnath Shrine Board, Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch to visit the Himani Shivling i.e. Baba Amarnath made in the form of snow.
During this, the base camp was completely painted in the colors of Bhole. Yatri Niwas of Jammu echoed with the cheers of Bam-Bam Bhole. Devotees started their holy journey by chanting Bhole.
Among the devotees going on the pilgrimage of Baba Barfani, more number of women were seen than men. Devotees were seen dancing to the beats of drums.Amid tight security, the first batch of pilgrims who left Jammu for Baltal and Pahalgam today will get a chance to have their first holy darshan on July 1.
This time many major changes have also been made by the Amarnath Shrine Board in the journey of Baba Barfani. Pilgrims have to take special care of all these.In the first batch, 3488 passengers have left from Yatri Niwas Jammu. 159 vehicles were taken from Yatri Niwas to Baltal and Pahalgam.
A total of 3294 devotees are included in the first batch. The yatra will officially begin on July 1 when thousands of pilgrims will begin their journey towards the holy cave shrine from two base camps – Baltal and Pahalgam.
Till Pahalgam, there are 1882 devotees in which men are 1659 and women are 223, then till Baltal there are total 1412 devotees, in which men are 1145, women are 262 and children are 5. It will be mandatory for all of them to follow the rules during the journey.
