The Budha Amarnath Yatra commenced on Monday in Jammu and Kashmir’s border district of Poonch, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagging off the first batch of over 1,000 pilgrims from Jammu amid elaborate security arrangements.
Speaking at the occasion, LG Sinha expressed hope that a large number of devotees would visit the Budha Amarnath temple in Poonch to seek blessings of Lord Shiva.
Amid sacred rituals, the blowing of conch shells (‘shankhnaad’), and chants of “Bum Bum Bhole,” the convoy of pilgrims was flagged off from Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu early Monday morning. The group was accompanied by a multi-layer security escort to ensure their safe passage.
The 12-day-long pilgrimage, initiated by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in 2005, concludes on August 7 and takes devotees to the revered Himalayan shrine of Budha Amarnath.
“More than 1,000 pilgrims have set out for the Budha Amarnath Yatra today. Devotees from across the country are participating in this sacred journey. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has ensured excellent arrangements and tight security for the yatra. There has also been a significant improvement in facilities this year,” the Lieutenant Governor told reporters.
Extending his best wishes for a safe and spiritually enriching journey, Sinha said, “The sacred journey to the abode of Mahadev is a deeply enlightening experience. I believe this pilgrimage serves as a profound spiritual transformation for the devotees.”
He also lauded the efforts of the Baba Amarnath and Budha Amarnath Yatri Nyas, the tourism department, district administration, and all organisations involved in organising langars and support services.
All necessary arrangements have been put in place for the annual Budha Amarnath Yatra and the accompanying Budha Amarnath Ji Mela, the annual religious festival, the Lieutenant Governor said.
He also noted that over 3.77 lakh pilgrims have so far completed the Amarnath Yatra this year and expressed gratitude to the Jammu and Kashmir administration for its dedicated efforts in ensuring the convenience and safety of devotees.
“I am hopeful that a large number of pilgrims from across the country will visit Budha Amarnath and offer prayers to Lord Shiva for their own well-being, as well as for the prosperity of the nation and Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
Situated in Rajpura village in Mandi tehsil of Poonch district, the Budha Amarnath temple is one of the oldest shrines in the Jammu region and attracts thousands of devotees during the pilgrimage. The yatra traditionally culminates with the arrival of the Charri Mubarak (holy mace) from Dashnami Akhara, Poonch.
The sacred Pulsata river flows alongside the temple, where pilgrims customarily take a holy dip before entering the shrine.
Security has been tightened across the border districts of Jammu, Poonch, and Rajouri in view of the ongoing yatra, which is scheduled to conclude on August 7.
Ahead of the yatra, security forces and police carried out extensive combing operations along the pilgrimage route and in the hinterlands of the concerned districts to ensure maximum safety and vigilance, officials said.
Comprehensive security measures, including round-the-clock CCTV surveillance, area domination, and heightened troop deployment, have been enforced in and around the Budha Amarnath temple. The administration has also made detailed arrangements for boarding and lodging to ensure a smooth and peaceful pilgrimage experience for all devotees. (AGENCIES)
