The annual Amarnath yatra commenced from the traditional Pahalgam route from today (06/26), while the pilgrimage has already been in progress via Baltal route on the Srinagar-Leh axis from June 16. The yatra via Pahalgam route earlier scheduled to begin from June 7 could not be started due to bad weather conditions and accumulation of heavy snow on several patches along the 32-km-long Chandanwari-holy cave stretch.

A batch of 1,415 pilgrims, who were camping at the Nunwan Base Camp, Pahalgam, was allowed to proceed for the pilgrimage this morning via the traditional Chandanwari route.

Meanwhile, the Amarnath Shrine board has once again appealed to the intending pilgrims registered for the Pahalgam route to keep adequate flexibility in their travel plans as only 2,000 registered pilgrims per day would be permitted in the initial phase to proceed on the yatra on a first-come, first-served basis on the traditional Pahalgam-Chandanwari-holy cave route in view of the track and weather conditions. No old or infirm person and children below 12 years will be permitted to undertake the yatra on the Sheshnag route in view of the difficult snow route.

Women pilgrims have been advised to avoid undertaking the yatra on this route, at least for the next seven days or so.