PM Modi greets Amarnath Yatra pilgrims

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday greeted pilgrims at the start of the Amarnath Yatra, saying the 'darshan' of Lord Shiva is known to infuse immense energy in his followers.

The annual Amarnath Yatra began early Saturday as the first batch of pilgrims left the twin base camps in Baltal and Nunwan to start their journey to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said.

"My heartfelt best wishes to all pilgrims on the commencement of the holy Amarnath Yatra. This yatra associated with the darshan of Baba Barfani infuses immense energy in the devotees of Lord Shiva. May all devotees prosper with his blessings. Jai Baba Barfani,” Modi said in a post on X in Hindi.

पवित्र अमरनाथ यात्रा के शुभारंभ पर सभी तीर्थयात्रियों को मेरी हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। बाबा बर्फानी के दर्शन और वंदन से जुड़ी यह यात्रा शिवभक्तों में असीम ऊर्जा का संचार करने वाली होती है। उनकी कृपा से सभी श्रद्धालुओं का कल्याण हो, यही कामना है। जय बाबा बर्फानी!

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 29, 2024

The 52-day pilgrimage will conclude on August 19.