Breaking News: Amarnath Yatra Begins Amid High Security; Devotees March with Unshakable Faith and Zeal | ABP NEWS

The much-awaited Amarnath Yatra has officially begun as the first batch of devotees departed from Jammu amid unprecedented security arrangements. Pilgrims are seen dancing, chanting “Har Har Mahadev” and “Bam Bam Bhole,” and proceeding with immense enthusiasm to seek blessings of Lord Shiva at the sacred Amarnath cave. This year’s pilgrimage is especially significant as it follows a terrorist attack near Pahalgam in April, prompting heightened vigilance across the route. Over 100 buses have left carrying hundreds of devotees towards Pahalgam, one of the two routes to the cave shrine. The other route goes via Baltal. Pilgrims must cover a 48 km trek from Pahalgam to reach the holy cave. Elaborate security has been deployed, with ground forces and aerial surveillance guarding the convoy routes. Checkpoints are actively screening vehicles, and only those cleared by security forces are allowed to proceed. Despite the fear created by recent violence, the faith of devotees remains unshaken. Many have come from faraway cities like Kolkata, saying, “Baba called us, so we came.” The journey will continue for 38 days, with authorities at both the state and central levels closely monitoring every movement to ensure safety.

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