Baltal base camp abuzz with devotional bustle

Baltal, Jul 3: With the beginning of the Amarnath Yatra, the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district wore a festive look.

Around midnight, the huge sprawling Baltal base camp on the banks of nallah Sindh, guarded heavily by security forces, started bustling with festive fervour.

Well-lit and decorated ‘langars’ (community kitchens) with loudspeakers blaring bhajans greeted the visitors while locals were seen selling items of Puja and other stuff to the yatris.

The yatris were seen freely moving around the base camp, busy clicking pictures. Many yatris said that they were enthusiastic about the yatra.

“There is no fear in our minds. The arrangements by the government and the administration here are satisfying. The locals are supporting us,” said Kamal Mishra, a yatri from Delhi.

“We are excited about the yatra. I am coming for the second time, but each visit to the shrine makes me more excited,” said Suresh Singh, a pilgrim from Punjab.

“With every passing year, the facilities and arrangements for the yatra have been improving. The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and administration have made the yatra more comfortable and smooth,” a group of yatris said.

The common sight at Baltal is locals who are the major service providers to Amarnath yatris during the annual yatra.

The local service providers have installed kiosks and tents for yatris and are eagerly waiting to receive them.

After leaving the base camp, the yatris take the shorter route to the cave shrine, just about 14 km away.

However, this route is steep and difficult to climb.

From Baltal, the yatra passes through Domial, Barari, and Sangam to reach the cave shrine.

En route, locals are seen carrying yatris either on ponies or on their shoulders.

The treacherous route to the cave is abuzz with yatris chanting ‘Jai Bole’.

Locals are seen advising pedestrians to stick to the hill end and not move on the valley end lest they fall.

On the way to the cave, a number of tea stalls are seen with photographs of the Shiv lingam.

Earlier, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri flagged off the first batch of yatris from the Baltal base camp to the Amarnath cave shrine, marking the official commencement of this year’s yatra.

Secretary, Science and Technology, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, who is also the Nodal Officer for the Baltal axis, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal Jatin Kishore, and SSP Ganderbal Khalil Poswal were also present on the occasion.

Speaking to media persons, Bidhuri said that the Amarnath Yatra was not merely a religious journey but a “yatra of the people,” reflecting its broader social and cultural significance.

He said that comprehensive arrangements had been put in place to ensure the safety and comfort of the yatris, including enhanced medical facilities, sanitation services, and security measures.