Faith overtakes fear as UP devotee undertakes first Kanwar Yatra from MP to Amarnath
Udhampur, Jul 9 (PTI) Defying odds and driven by unshakable devotion, 21-year-old devotee Harnam Prasad from Uttar Pradesh has embarked on an extraordinary 7,000-km Kanwar Yatra from Madhya Pradesh to the sacred Amarnath cave shrine in Kashmir for the first time, saying faith has driven out fear among every pilgrim undertaking the pilgrimage.
The 38-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre shrine commenced on July 3 from the valley via the twin tracks — the traditional 48-km-long Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The yatra will conclude on August 9.
The number of pilgrims who have paid obeisance at the cave shrine has crossed one lakh.
On the 105th day of his spiritual odyssey, Prasad, supported by his three friends, reached Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir, carrying holy water in a Kanwar from Gawri Ghat in Jabalpur to offer at the revered Nundeshwar Mahadev at the Amarnath cave shrine.
Carrying water in four pitchers on his shoulders along with Bajrangbali flags, Prasad claims this is his first Kanwar Yatra to the Himalayan cave shrine, traditionally known for the ice ‘lingam’ of Lord Shiva.
“I have walked over 6,700 kilometres in 105 days and have reached Udhampur today. The journey has been nothing short of divine. I feel no fear, only faith. Baba Barfani’s energy has protected me and made the journey comfortable and fulfilling,” Prasad said.
His yatra also includes a visit to Rameshwar Jyotirling.
Asserting that fear and terror are forgotten words during the journey to Bholenath, he said faith has driven out fear from every pilgrim on the yatra to the cave shrine. “The rush of pilgrims is a befitting reply to those terrorists who engineered the cowardly attack in Pahalgam,” he said.
Expressing deep gratitude for the arrangements made by the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory (UT) administration, Prasad praised the hospitality of locals and the security provided along the route. “From Lakhanpur, the entry point to Jammu and Kashmir, the arrangements are excellent. The atmosphere is peaceful.
“The Army, police and the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) have ensured safety. I urge devotees not to be afraid and come for Baba’s darshan,” he said.
