* Wishes safe, spiritually-fulfilling journey
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, June 30: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims from Yatri Niwas, Bhagwati Nagar, here, early this morning.
Amidst the chanting of Vedic Mantras, the first batch of 3488 pilgrims set off to the holy cave in a convoy of 164 light and heavy vehicles early in the morning.
The Lt Governor wished all the devotees a safe and spiritually-fulfilling journey and prayed for peace, prosperity and happiness to all. Click here to watch video
“The holy pilgrimage is the ultimate bliss. It is the path of humility, compassion and awareness. Shiv Sutra says, the spiritual endeavour is Bhairava, the first step to experience the divine. It is the journey of inner transformation,” he said.
The UT administration has made elaborate arrangements for the safe and hassle-free pilgrimage of the devotees of Shri Amarnath Ji,” Sinha said.
Eminent spiritual leaders; members of PRIs and ULBs; heads of religious organizations, senior officers of civil administration, police, security forces and SASB officials, prominent citizens, and devotees in large number were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, yatris were in high spirits chanting Bum Bum Bhole and Baba Amarnath Ki Jai. They were all praise for arrangements at Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas and complimented LG administration, Army, paramilitary forces and local police for their support and cooperation.
All the yatris had reached their respective base camps of Nunwan Pahalgam in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district and Baltal in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Renuka, a first time pilgrim from Bundelkhand, UP said she feels all good for the holy pilgrimage.
Leaving her two kids at her residence, Renuka said after reaching here she has nothing except Bhole Baba in her mind. “I want to have darshan as I have forgotten everything’’.
Sachin, another pilgrim from Bundelkhand said that the arrangements at base camp are good. He said police and Army are taking lot of interest in guiding the pilgrims.
Sahil, a child from MP, who has also left for the yatra said he would pray for his good health and success in examinations all over his student life.
Aarti, who had also come from Bhopal with a group of pilgrims was all praise for arrangements made by SASB and LG administration. She said army is extending every kind of support to pilgrims.
BJP senior leader and former MLA, Devender Singh Rana who was also present during flagging off ceremony expressed the hope that the yatris after performing darshan at holy cave will take a good message to their respective states. He also expressed the hope that the number of yatris will increase in coming days. He said the people of Jammu are welcoming the yatris with open arms.
The yatris will be flagged off from the twin base camps for holy cave situated at the height of 3880 metres in Deep Himalayas early tomorrow morning.
Pyush Singhla, Nodal Officer of yatris at Pahalgam said that all arrangements on the tracks as well as the base camps are in place. He said Shrine Board and administration have made all arrangements for the pilgrims and the first batch will be flagged off tomorrow morning from Pahalgam.
He said first batch has reached here from Jammu and it is the endevour of the administration that the yatra should pass peacefully.
The locals at Pahalgam have also welcomed the first batch of pilgrims with open arms. Talking to this reporter, they said that the people of the Pahalgam constituency were waiting eagerly for welcoming this yatra in a traditional way. “We are associated with this yatra for times immemorial and we with the yatra should pass peacefully this time also’’.
At Pahalgam, the pilgrims were also praise for the arrangements made by the administration and hoped that the arrangements will be better enroute too.
The Kashmiri people gave a tumultuous welcome to pilgrims on their arrival by garlanding them profusely and showering flowers on them at K P Road Anantnag and Pahalgam. The local residents, prominent citizens and members of business community as well as large number of women welcomed the yatris on their arrival in Kashmir by standing on both sides of road at Anantnag and Srinagar. At Anantnag, DC and DDC chairman welcomed the yatris. At Srinagar, the DC Srinagar welcomed the pilgrims.
The yatris were also accorded rousing reception at Ramban and Udhampur in Jammu division by the local people as well district administration of respective districts.
Meanwhile, the Mountain Rescue Teams of J&K Police conducted mock drill on Pahalgam and Baltal routes today.
Meanwhile, DySP of Jammu and Kashmir Police were among four injured after the Shri Amarnath Ji security convoy fell into a drain on Bali Nallah on Jammu –Srinagar National Highway at Udhampur. The injured were shifted to District Hospital Udhampur for treatment.
The 62 day -long yatra will culminate on Shravan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandan on August 31.
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