Amarnath yatra begins, Governor offer puja

Srinagar: The annual 46-day-long yatra to holy cave shrine of Baba Amarnathji in south Kashmir Himalayas has begun after the gates were thrown open for devotees when Governor N N Vohra had darshan at 0730 hrs of the self-made ice Shivlingam this morning.
Mr Vohra is also the chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB). He was accompanied by several board officials and senior security force personnel.
The pilgrimage will culminate on August 13, when the Holy Mace of Lord Shiva will be taken inside the cave.
More than 2.5 lakh pilgrims have registered themselves for pilgrimage.
A UNI correspondent who was present near the cave shrine witnessed more than 8000 pilgrims waiting since last night to proceed towards the Baba Barfani cave shrine.
After the Governor completed puja, pilgrims were allowed to proceed towards the cave shrine.
Meanwhile, about 10,000 more pilgrims also left from shortest Baltal route and traditional Pahalgam track this morning.
These pilgrims had reached the base camps last evening from Jammu.
The authorities have made elaborate security arrangements to ensure safe pilgrimage.