Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Aug 8: The first batch of Shri Budha Amarnath Ji Yatris arrived the Holy Shrine at Mandi town, about 22 kms from Poonch and performed `Darshan’.
From Dashnami Akhara Poonch, this first batch of the pilgrims which arrived from Jammu last evening, left for Mandi town in the morning and performed Darshans at the shrine. Today over 700 pilgrims arrived Mandi town from Poonch in 17 vehicles under tight security arrangements for offering special prayers.
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They were received by the Tehsil Mandi administration, Mandir Committee and prominent Muslim community members of the area.
After performing prayers and having lunch at the `Langar’ in the Temple complex, the pilgrims left for Jammu from Mandi in the afternoon.
The second batch of 547 pilgrims including 267 males, 279 females and one child, in 12 buses started from Jammu base camp today morning for Poonch town. They reached Poonch at around 4.30 pm. These pilgrims will perform Darshans on Friday.
The annual Shri Budha Amarnath Ji Yatra for Mandi town in district Poonch commenced on Wednesday and first batch of 651 pilgrims in 14 vehicles arrived Poonch city last evening. The pilgrims had their breakfast at Sunderbani town, lunch at Rajouri and night halt with dinner at Poonch. The district administration besides Sanatan Dharm Sabha, VHP and Bajrang Dal made arrangements for the comfortable stay of the pilgrims at Poonch city.
The police and other security agencies have made elaborate security arrangements for the safe and smooth pilgrimage in the border town of Poonch. ADGP Anand Jain said that all the security arrangements have been put in place to ensure an incident-free yatra.
The Budha Amarnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Rajpura village in Poonch is among the oldest shrines in the Jammu region, drawing large numbers of devotees. It is said that Pulast Rishi, the grandfather of the Kind Ravana of Lanka had worshipped at this place for thousands of years. According to locals, the river which flows from Mandi and passes through Poonch City is called Pulast river.
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