Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday flagged off the first batch of Shri Amarnath Yatra pilgrims from the Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu, marking the commencement of the annual pilgrimage to the sacred cave shrine.
Before the flag-off, LG Sinha offered prayers at the base camp. As the convoy of pilgrims departed, chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Bam Bam Bhole’ echoed through the air, creating a spiritual and festive atmosphere.
The pilgrimage is being conducted via both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes, with the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway serving as a vital link for thousands of devotees heading toward the Himalayas for Baba Amarnath’s darshan.
Reacting to the event, BJP leader Sat Sharma said, “Just two months ago, the environment seemed tense, but today, we witness thousands of devotees chanting slogans for Baba Amarnath, showing they feel safe and protected.”
Devotees from the first batch expressed satisfaction with the arrangements. “The security, food, and accommodation are excellent. We’ve waited a year for this moment and feel completely safe,” said a pilgrim named Shalu. Another devotee, Akanksha, added, “We were confident in the security measures and chose to be part of the first batch. Everything has been arranged wonderfully.”
Suman Ghosh, also among the first pilgrims, said, “There’s no fear. The Indian Army and other security forces are here, and we pray for peaceful darshan for all.”
LG Sinha emphasized that major infrastructure and safety upgrades have been made since 2022 to improve the yatra experience. “The pilgrimage routes that were once six feet wide are now twelve feet wide. Grid and telecom connectivity has been established, and high-definition cameras are providing live feed of the yatra,” he said.
He also noted the use of modern monitoring tools such as RFID-based tracking and 24/7 surveillance from the Integrated Command and Control Centre at the Raj Bhawan and the Police Control Room.
The Amarnath Yatra, a significant spiritual event for millions of Hindu devotees, will continue in phases, drawing pilgrims from across India and the world.