Amarnath Yatra to start from Saturday

The annual Amarnath Yatra will commence from Saturday and will continue till August 18 through the two routes of Baltal and Pahalgam, the Union Home Ministry announced on Friday.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is on a two-day trip to Jammu and Kashmir from Friday, is scheduled to hold a security review meeting about the Yatra at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar.

Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has advised the pilgrims to carry sufficient woollen clothes, umbrella, raincoat, and waterproof shoes as the weather in the Yatra area is unpredictable.

It has also advised the pilgrims to carry their identity cards and Yatra permit, and travel in a group.

The gates of Access Control at Domel and Chandanwari would open at 5 a.m. and close at 11 a.m. The SASB has asked the pilgrims to reach the gates on time as no one would be allowed to undertake pilgrimage after the closure of the gates.

Prepaid SIM cards from other states would not work in Jammu and Kashmir and the Yatra route. Yatris can purchase pre-activated SIM cards at the base camps of Baltal and Nunwan, the SASB said.

Also, the SASB has asked the pilgrims to not do "anything during the entire Yatra which could cause pollution or disturb the environment".

--IANS

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