The annual Amarnath Yatra, a pilgrimage of immense significance for Hindu devotees, officially began on Saturday, June 29th, with the ‘Pratham Puja’ ceremony. The ‘Pratham Puja’ of Baba Amarnath, held at the Amarnath cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, was attended virtually by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha from Raj Bhawan in Srinagar. After participating in the virtual ceremony, Sinha expressed his dedication and support for the sacred journey.
Devotees can now embark on the trek to the Amarnath cave shrine and offer prayers to Baba Barfani. “From June 29th, devotees across the country can get the darshan of ‘Baba Amarnath’…all the necessary facilities have made been done for the devotees coming. Security arrangements have also been made,” LG Manoj Sinha told ANI.
Ahead of the official commencement of the pilgrimage, security forces have significantly increased their presence along the route and at the pilgrim site to ensure the safety of devotees. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, under the leadership of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Anand Jain, are conducting thorough reviews of arrangements made for the Amarnath Yatra. The aim is to ensure a smooth, secure, and successful pilgrimage for all devotees. Jain also highlighted the implementation of cut-off timings during the Yatra to manage the flow of pilgrims to and from Jammu and Kashmir.
The Amarnath Yatra holds deep religious significance for Hindu devotees who undertake the annual pilgrimage to offer prayers at the Amarnath cave shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This year, the pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on August 19th. The journey to the Amarnath cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir is a challenging trek, but the spiritual reward draws hundreds of thousands of devotees each year.
During a recent briefing session with police officers, Anand Jain emphasized the importance of providing necessary facilities for the pilgrims, including medical aid. He also instructed the officers to prioritize the safety and smooth experience of the devotees, aiming for a successful and secure pilgrimage. Last year, over 4.5 lakh devotees participated in the Amarnath Yatra, taking part in the holy darshan.
With the region experiencing frequent terror attacks, the security of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims remains a top priority for security officials. They are taking all necessary measures to ensure a safe and peaceful pilgrimage for all devotees.
