Anantnag, Jul 2: Kashmir on Thursday welcomed the first batch of Amarnath Yatris with flower petals, traditional rituals, and public celebrations as the convoy entered the Valley through the Navyug Tunnel.
Residents gathered along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway in Qazigund, as well as Anantnag and Pahalgam, showering flowers, distributing sweets, and burning Izbandh (wild rue seeds), a Kashmiri ritual associated with blessings and protection.
Some locals also carried kangris, the traditional fire pots, as part of the reception.
“We welcome the yatris with open arms,” said Muhammad Hussain of Qazigund. “Kashmir is safe, and people should come without fear. They are our guests. We want them to feel at home.”
Senior police and civil administration officials, including Inspector General of CRPF, Deputy Inspector General of Police South Kashmir Range Javid Iqbal Mattoo, Senior Superintendent of Police Anantnag Amod Ashok Nagpure, Senior Superintendent of Police, Kulgam Anayat Ali Choudhary, and Additional SP National Highway, Mumtaz Ali Bhatti, also received the yatris in Anantnag.
Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat also gave a rousing reception to the yatris, first at Anantnag and then at Pahalgam.
Deputy Commissioner Kulgam Shahzad Aalam and Camp Director Atul Kumar also welcomed the yatris.
The officials greeted the convoy with garlands and flower petals.
In Nunwan-Pahalgam, one of the two base camps for the annual yatra, residents and members of the tourism trade offered water, refreshments, and assistance to arriving yatris.
“A special Pahalgam Alliance has been formed to ensure the comfort of yatris,” said local activist Mushtaq Pahalgami. “This reflects Kashmir’s tradition of hospitality and unity.”
Pony operators, taxi drivers, hotel owners, tourist guides, and shopkeepers also joined the reception efforts across the route.
Officials of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB); National Conference MLA for Pahalgam Altaf Ahmad Wani (Kaloo); and Apni Party leader Rafi Ahmad Mir also welcomed the yatris.
The yatris expressed gratitude for the reception.
“We feel at home. The arrangements and hospitality are excellent,” said Reena, 43, a yatri from Delhi travelling with a group of friends.
Kuldeep Singh, 60, a devotee from Haryana who has been undertaking the yatra for several years despite physical challenges, said he continues to walk to the shrine.
“I do not ride ponies or use a palanquin. I trek every year,” he said.
Vijay Kumar, 47, who arrived from Bengaluru with his wife for his first yatra, said they were ready to begin the journey.
“The weather is pleasant. We are excited to start tomorrow,” he said.
Officials said 4822 yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu at 5 am on Thursday in a convoy of 259 vehicles under multi-layered security cover provided by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The convoy split into two routes after entering Kashmir.
A total of 2510 yatris in 112 vehicles proceeded toward the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route in Anantnag district, while 2312 yatris in 147 vehicles headed to the 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
The yatra from Jammu was flagged by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat along with Special Director General (Coordination) SJM Geelani later in the evening visited Nunwa Base camp to review security and facilitation arrangements.
The 57-day Amarnath Yatra begins on Friday and will conclude on August 28, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
Yatris undertake the journey to the 12,756-feet-high Amarnath Cave shrine via either the Pahalgam or Baltal route under tight security and administrative arrangements.