Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Aug 7: Nearly 4200 pilgrims mostly from outside the State reached Poonch city this evening while nearly 1450 pilgrims performed Darshan at Shri Budha Amarnath ji shrine at Mandi today.
Official sources said that a large batch of 4200 pilgrims led by Bajrang Dal, All India president Rajesh Pandey and vice president Manoj Verma, arrived Poonch city in 76 buses and 39 cars and jeeps this evening from Jammu base camp. The yatra was accorded reception and offered break fast at Sunderbani and then lunch at Rajouri. The Army authorities had also made arrangements for snacks and tea at Bhimber Gali and Chandak for them.
The yatra was received by members of Yatra Reception Committee and Deputy Commissioner Poonch M H Malik and SSP Shamsheer Hussain besides both ADCs and other senior officers and district president Bajrang Dal Nishu Gupta SD Sabha president Satish Sasan. The pilgrims were accommodated at various Government buildings, Akhara Mandir Sarai and Geeta Bhawan for night stay. They will join Charri yatra from Akhara Mandir to Mandi tomorrow morning.
Charri Pujan will be performed at 7.30 am at Akhara Mandir. Minister for Housing and Sports Raman Bhalla, local MLA and others would also join Charri Pujan function. Shri 1008 Maha Mandleshwar Swami Vishavatmanand Saraswati ji Maharaj will lead Charri Yatra to the shrine of Baba Budha Amarnathji at Mandi covering 26 kms on foot. Thousands of people would join Charri Yatra. It will reach Mandi in the evening. The final darshan would be performed on the day after tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Akhara Mandir Committee and other organizations connected with the yatra organised a function at the Temple premises today and honoured District officers, Brigade Commander and media-persons for support and cooperation during yatra in presence of citizens.
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