LG flags off first batch from Jammu, extends best wishes
JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of 4603 devotees for the pilgrimage to the holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji, from Yatri Niwas, Bhagwati Nagar, today.
The Lt Governor 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,” the Lt Governor said.
Amidst chanting of Vedic Mantras, the first batch of 4603 Yatris was flagged off for the holy Cave Shrine from Bhagwati Nagar Jammu base camp in a cavalcade of 231 light and heavy vehicles.
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.
The first batch of Amarnath Yatris reached Kashmir on Friday afternoon where senior district and divisional officers received them.
The convoy of Yatris was received at Pantha Chowk on Srinagar outskirts by DIG Central Kashmir range, District Development Commissioner Srinagar and SSP Srinagar.
The district administration officers presented flower bouquets to the Yatris. They reached the Baltal base camp in the evening..
Another convoy of Yatris was received with bouquets by Kulgam and Anantnag district administration officials while they were on the way to Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp.
A total of 4603 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in the morning in two escorted convoys. The convoys of Yatris were given a traditional flag-off amid chanting of hymns.
Of these, 1933 pilgrims are travelling in 115 vehicles to Baltal while 2670 are travelling in 116 vehicles to Pahalgam.
The annual Amarnath Yatra will start on June 29 from Kashmir and end after 52 days on August 19 coinciding with Raksha Bandhan and Shravan Purnima festivals.
About 125 ‘Langars’ (Community Kitchens) have been set for the Yatris this year. Of these 40 have been set up on the Srinagar-Baltal-Cave shrine axis and the rest on the Qazigund-Pahalgam-Cave shrine axis.
Over 7,000 Savadars (Volunteers) are serving the Yatris at these community kitchens.
A three-tier security managed by the outer ring of the army, middle and inner rings of CAPFs and the police are providing security to this year’s Yatra.
