Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 7 (ANI): Amid heightened security, another batch of pilgrims departed from the Baltal Base camp in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar for the annual pilgrimage–Amarnath Yatra.
With the chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ (hailing Lord Shiva), the pilgrims expressed glee as they embarked on the much-awaited journey.
Meanwhile, visuals showed a heavy police force deployed at the base camp to ensure the safety and security of the devotees.
Monika, a pilgrim from Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, told ANI, “We are very excited. We made plans all of a sudden. Certainly, the Lord called us. The arrangements are very good here. There’s is no issue here. The administration is taking good care of us.”
Another pilgrim, Vijay Bhaskar from Hyderabad, expressed his enthusiasm over the Amarnath Yatra and said that he was eager to have a glimpse of ‘Baba Amarnath’, a form of Lord Shiva. 
“I’m feeling very good. I’m eager to have a glimpse of Baba Amarnath. I would like to thank the government for having made great arrangements for pilgrims”, Bhaskar told ANI.
This year, the yatra started on June 29 and will end on August 19, lasting 52 days.
The devotees of Lord Shiva undertake the arduous annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine located in the Kashmir Himalayas in July-August.
Conducted by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, the Amarnath Yatra has two routes through Pahalgam and via Baltal. Baltal serves as the camping ground for pilgrims in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir.
This year, the Yatra is taking place in the shadow of recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)
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