LG Manoj Sinha flags off Ist batch of 4603 Pilgrims to Amarnat shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas

JAMMU, JUNE 28: Amidst the chanting of Vedic manytas and heavy security bandobast, the first batch of 4603 Yatris was flagged off for the Amarnath cave shrine by UT’s Lt Governor Manoj Sinha at Bhagwati Nagar base camp here on Friday morning.

The pilgrims left in a cavalcade of 231 light and heavy vehicles.

Sinha, who offered prayers at the temple before flagging off the first batch, extended his best wishes to all the pilgrims for a safe, blessed, and spiritually enriching journey. “May the blessings of Baba Amarnath Ji bring peace, happiness and prosperity to everyone’s life,” he said.

“In the last 3-4 years, a lot of arrangements have been made for the yatra and this time also J&K administration has done all the necessary arrangements, security has been heightened,” Sinha said on the occasion.

Ahead of the Amarnath Yatra, thousands of pilgrims have reached Jammu. The first batch will travel in high security in a convoy and reach Pahalgam and Baltal base camp where they will start their Amarnath Yatra.

Eminent spiritual leaders; heads of religious organizations; public representatives; senior officers of Civil Administration, Police, Security Forces and Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, prominent citizens, and devotees in large number were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, the BJP leader Devender Singh Rana said, “We hope that with the grace of Bhole Shankar, this year also the yatra will bring happiness and would be a good experience for everyone…like every year. People will get  Jammu and Kashmir resident’s love, affection and care. The people from all over the nation, will receive the blessings of Lord Shiva. Whole India and  Jammu and Kashmir will fasten its way of the path of development. Like every year, this year also all the arrangements have been made.”

The CCTVs have also been installed on National Highways to strengthen the security and address the traffic related issues.

Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Saloni Rai said, ” To strengthen the security further, CCTV cameras have been installed on National Highway…around 10 CCTV points have been made from Udhampur to Banihal where continuous monitoring will take place. If any traffic related issue arises, we can address it immediately. Our motive is that Amarnath Yatra pilgrims get all the facilities including food, water and electricity…”. (with inputs from agencies).