Amarnath Yatra 2023: First Batch Of Pilgrims Begin Journey From Jammu

The much-anticipated Amarnath Yatra began on Saturday with the first batch of pilgrims setting out from Baltal base camp for the cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas.

The first batch of 3,400 devotees will undertake a 12-km journey from the base camp to the holy cave shrine located at an altitude of about 13,000 feet.

The 62-day yatra that starts on July 1 and ends on August 31 witnesses devotees visiting the cave shrine of Lord Shiva in the south Kashmir Himalayas.

Nearly 3,00,000 devotees have registered for the Amarnath Yatra this year compared to the 3,65,000 pilgrims that visited the holy shrine last year.

Amarnath Yatra takes place in the Shravan month of the Hindu calendar and this is the only time that the caves are accessible to general public.

Baltal, in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district, is one of the twin routes for the annual pilgrimage. The other one is the Pahalgam route in south Kashmir's Anantnag district.

Amarnath Yatra 2023: Do's and don'ts

• Devotees must wear a radio frequency identification card throughout the yatra.
• Prepare for the Yatra by working on your physical fitness.
• It is recommended to begin a preliminary morning/evening walk of around 4-5 kilometres every day at least a month before the Yatra.
• Begin deep breathing exercises and Yoga, particularly pranayam, to improve the body's oxygen efficiency.
• If you have any medical concerns, consult your doctor before flying to higher elevations.
• While rising, walk gently and allow time to acclimatize-relax on steep inclines.
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and headaches-about 5 litres each day.
• Don't consume alcohol, caffeinated beverages, or smoke.
• Because a sick Yatri's judgement is compromised, please don't believe anything he or she says.
• Don't dismiss the signs of high altitude sickness.
• Carry sufficient woollen clothing as the temperature may sometimes abruptly fall below 5 degrees Celsius.
• Carry an umbrella, wind cheater, raincoat, and waterproof shoes as the weather in the Yatra area is unpredictable.
• Keep your clothes and eatables in a suitable waterproof bag to avoid your belongings getting wet.
• Do descend immediately to a lower elevation, if you start having altitude illness symptoms.
• Those between 13 and 70 years of age are eligible for the yatra.
• Pregnant women are not allowed.