Chota Amarnath Yatra begins in Bandipora under tight security

The annual Chota Amarnath Yatra has officially commenced from Kaloosa in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. Approximately 108 pilgrims, including men, women, and elderly devotees from various parts of India, were flagged off by Additional Deputy Commissioner Zaffar Hussain and SSP Aijaz Zargar.

The pilgrimage involves a journey through Arin Dardpora and Shamthan, leading to the Chota Amarnath Cave located in the dense forests of Arin. Local authorities and security agencies, including the CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police, have implemented tight security measures and established medical facilities, water supplies, and trekking routes to ensure a smooth procession.

Organizers and participants noted that the yatra is viewed as a means to revive traditions of communal harmony and brotherhood in the region. Yatra organizer Opender Krishan Koul expressed hope that the pilgrimage would strengthen the social fabric of Kashmir, similar to the atmosphere observed prior to the 1990s.