In Jammu and Kashmir, the annual yatra to the Holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnathji in the Kashmir Himalayas commenced formally today on both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes. The State Governor Mr. N.N. Vohra also paid obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum this morning. He reviewed the overall arrangements made for the yatries.He stressed the need for effective supervision and monitoring on continuing basis for ensuring smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. Later, the Governor flew down to the Baltal Base camp and was joined by J&K Minister for Forests, Mian Altaf. On the occasion the Minister flagged off the helicopter nservices from Baltal to Panjtarni. He also visitedPahalgam and Chandanwari and reviewed the yatra arrangements. At Pahalgam Governor launched the helicopter service from Pahalgam to Panjtarni.According to official sources more than five thousand pilgrims left today morning for the holy cave shrine from Nunwan base camp (Pahalgam) whereas about eleven thousand pilgrims left for the darshan of the holy ice lingum from Baltal route. When reports last came in the yatra from both the tracks was progressing smoothly and by 6 p.m today 8,800 pilgrims had darshan of the holy ice lingum. This year’s Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra will conclude on Raksha Bandhan on 2nd August, 2012.The registration of the Yatris for this year had commenced on 7th May, 2012. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, Naveen K. Choudhary has once again appealed to the intending yatries to embark on the pilgrimage only after obtaining a valid yatra permit he reiterated that yatris not possessing valid yatra permits will not be allowed to proceed beyond the Nunwan and Baltal base camps.