Amarnath Yatra-2012: The Jammu and Kashmir government has set May 31 as deadline to complete preparations for the annual Amarnath yatra in the state's winter capital Jammu.

Jammu Divisional Commissioner Pardeep Gupta, who visited Bhagwati Nagar - the Amarnath base camp - on 3 May to take stock of the arrangements for the pilgrimage, directed officials concerned to complete preparations by May 31. He asked officials to ensure all facilities, including power, drinking water, sanitation, transport and security are provided to the pilgrims. Thousands of pilgrims flock to the Amarnath cave shrine in South Kashmir every year to pay obeisance to the 'Shivlingam' - a naturally made stalagmite of ice, which is revered as the symbol of Lord Shiva. This year, the yatra will commence from June 25 and conclude on August 2.