The annual Amarnath pilgrimage has begun in India with Home Minister Rajnath Singh being one of the first visitors to the cave shrine.
Tweeting his visit, Minister Rajnath Singh wrote, “Feeling extremely blessed after visiting the Holy Cave at Shri Amarnathji this morning. Jai Baba Bholenath!”
Situated at 3,888 metres above the sea level in Himalayas, the Cave Shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure worshipped by Lord Shiva’s devotees.
A three-tire security cover manned by the army, the ITBP, the CRPF and the Jammu and Kashmir police has been deployed to secure the Yatra amidst heightened militant activity in the Valley.
The 48-day Yatra started on July 2 and will conclude on August 17 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.
