Lt Guv flags off 1st batch of Amarnath pilgrims from Jammu
Says participation of civil society members, locals inextricably woven into Yatra
Jammu/Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday flagged off the first batch of 4,890 pilgrims for the annual Amarnath yatra from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu city for their onward journey to the Pahalgam and Baltal base camps in Kashmir.
The 43-day pilgrimage to the cave shrine will begin from twin base camps in Kashmir on Thursday and will conclude on August 11 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
The annual Amarnath Yatra is being organised after a gap of two years due to the Covid pandemic.
Amid chants of ‘Bam Bam Bhole’ and ‘Jai Barfani Baba ki’, the pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here in a convoy of vehicles amid tight security.
Flanked by political leaders and officials, including Jammu Mayor Chander Mohan Gupta, BJP leader Devender Rana and Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, the Sinha flagged off the convoy of buses and other vehicles carrying pilgrims on their inward journey to the twin base camps in Kashmir.
The first batch of pilgrims left for the cave shrine amid chanting of Vedic mantras.
The Lt Governor prayed for the peace, prosperity and a safe journey of pilgrims.
Marking the beginning of the annual pilgrimage, the first batch left at around 4 am in a cavalcade of 176 light and heavy vehicles, officials said.
The yatra has passed through Udhampur and Ramban districts amid a grand welcome accorded by the top officials district administration led by DCs and SSPs.
“The pilgrimage has begun from Jammu. The convoy, flagged off by the L-G, has left for Kashmir from here,” Jammu Mayor Chander Mohan Gupta told reporters.
He said all arrangements have been made to provide comfort to the pilgrims.
In Jammu, Daleep Singh, a devotee from Barmer in Rajasthan, said, “There is no fear, no threat, only unbridled passion to reach the cave shrine quickly and have a glimpse of Lord Shiva.”
Asha Devi, who is a part of an over 40-member group of pilgrims from Kanpur, said, “We urge people from all over the country to come and pay obeisance at the cave shrine.”
Multi-tier security arrangements have been put in place in and around the base camps, lodging, registration and token centres with the deployment of over 5,000 security personnel in Jammu city, officials said.
The yatra will commence on June 30 from the traditional 48-km Nunwan route in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam and the 14-km Baltal route in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal.
According to officials, over three lakh pilgrims have registered so far for the annual Amarnath Yatra.
This year, the government has introduced a Radio Frequency Identification to track the movement and well-being of the pilgrims, they said.
“Adequate security measure has been put in place for the base camps and lodging places in Jammu city. Security is a major challenge,” Jammu Senior Superintendent of Police Chandan Kohli said.
The police have issued special stickers for vehicles ferrying pilgrims. No vehicle without the sticker will be allowed to proceed towards the cave shrine, officials said.
Over 3.42 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance at the shrine from July 1 to August 1, 2019, before the government cancelled the pilgrimage midway ahead of the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories.
Later while participating in a programme at SKICC the Lt Guv said that the participation of Civil Society members and locals are inextricably woven into Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.
The Lt Governor was speaking during a programme organized by Civil Society of Kashmir & PHDCCI to welcome Shri Amarnathji Yatris, here at SKICC.
Many generations here have assisted in this spiritual journey and Darshan of Shri Amarnath ji. Apart from having a spiritual significance, integral part of lifetime, the pilgrimage also gives J&K opportunity to showcase its rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality, said the Lt Governor
“There is tremendous enthusiasm among devotees and people of J&K for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra beginning tomorrow and everyone is contributing to make this sacred pilgrimage successful,” he added.
For many centuries, Shri Amarnathji pilgrimage is strengthening the bond of brotherhood & social unity, besides having a greater impact on the J&K’s economy, observed the Lt Governor
Government is making efforts to provide best possible facilities to the Yatris, however such holy occasion may not be complete without the wholehearted participation of the civil society. I have full faith that the devotees of Shri Amarnathji will return with God’s blessings and everlasting memories of warm hospitality of the 1.25 crore people of Jammu and Kashmir, the Lt Governor said.
There are many families in J&K who had to face financial hardship since Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra could not be held for the last two years due to Covid pandemic. Now, it has become our collective responsibility to make this yatra a success which will also serve as a great opportunity for lakhs to generate livelihood, added the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor also asked the stakeholders to dedicate themselves to serve the pilgrims and cement the bond between people.
Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, speaking on the occasion, appreciated the gesture of the Civil Society members to organize a programme to welcome the pilgrims of Shri Amarnathji Yatra. He also highlighted the development taking place in the UT in terms of connectivity, tourism, livelihood generation of the locals etc.
Chairperson J&K Waqf Board, Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, said that the people of Kashmir always have a strong connect with Shri Amarnath ji Yatra and considered it as their responsibility to ensure comfortable stay of the pilgrims in the valley during their yatra.
Civil Society representatives including Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya and Bashir Ahmad Rather also spoke on the occasion and assured full cooperation and support from the members of the civil society to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the yatra. Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; members of Civil Society and PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industries, besides prominent citizens in large numbers were present on the occasion.
KV News
