The first batch of Shri Amarnath Yatra was flagged off by K.K. Sharma, advisor to the Jammu and Kashmir governor, from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu on Sunday morning.
The first batch comprising 2,234 pilgrims left the base camp in a fleet of 93 buses, for both Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
For Baltal, 1,006 pilgrims including 203 women and 10 children left in 45 vehicles comprising nine HMVs, 33 LMVs and three motorcycles.
Meanwhile, for Pahalgam route, 1,183 pilgrims left in 48 vehicles including 130 female and seven children. However, 45 sadhus also left for the yatra.
A convoy of CRPF on motorcycles and gypsies escorted the pilgrims all along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
The yatra will be further flagged off from Srinagar on Monday. The 46-days pilgrimage will be concluded on August 15 on the day of Raksha Bandhan.
