Performs ‘Pratham Puja’ at Holy Cave
Reaches cave through Baltal track
Urges devotees to visit in large numbers
GANDERBAL: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday performed the Pratham Puja at the Holy Cave, marking the ceremonial beginning of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.
The Lieutenant Governor urged all the devotees of Baba Barfani to visit in large numbers for the Holy Yatra and pray to Mahadev for progress of J&K and the nation.
He said, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and Administration have improved the pilgrims facilities and Jammu Kashmir Police, Army, CRPF, CAPFs have made foolproof security arrangements.
“J&K Administration, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, Army, BRO, CAPFs, J&K Police and all stakeholders are working with complete devotion, dedication, collaboration and clear objectives for hassle-free and safe pilgrimage starting from 3rd July,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor lauded the invaluable contributions of people of J&K, Civil Society groups and all service providers.
“I have full faith that significant improvements to essential facilities and services will ensure this year’s pilgrimage is memorable and spiritually fulfilling for all devotees. May Baba Amarnathji keep showering his divine blessings on all of us,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board has been organising Pratham Puja at the Holy Cave on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Purnima every year.
This year, Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra will commence on 3rd July, simultaneously from both the routes – the Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district and it will culminate on 9th August, 2025 on Raksha Bandhan.
GoC 15 Corps, Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava; Nalin Prabhat, DGP J&K; Amarnath Ji Shrine Board Member, KN Rai; Amarnath Ji Shrine Board CEO and Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri; IGP Kashmir, VK Birdi and other senior officials were also present at the holy cave.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday became the first Chairman of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board to reach the Holy cave in recent times through Baltal track.
The Lieutenant Governor inspected the maintenance, upgradation and widening of Yatra track enroute and took first-hand appraisal of the measures taken by the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and Border Road Organisation (BRO) to ensure the safe and hassle-free pilgrimage of the devotees. He lauded the unprecedented works done by the BRO and SASB.
The Lieutenant Governor said after the culmination of the Yatra in 2024, special focus has been laid on developing safe Yatra tracks on both the routes.
“The alternate route from Chandanwari to Pissutop will be made available with safety hand railing and surfacing for Yatra 2025 for facilitating the on-foot yatris and better managing the Yatra along the Chandanwari axis,” the Lieutenant Governor further added.
The safety hand railing in vulnerable stretches has been developed on Pahalgam route.
The unstable formations along both the routes are addressed with gabion/ breast walls, ILC fence and installation of wire mesh to overcome the danger possessed by the shooting stones on Railpathri-Brarimarg, Kalimata- Lower Cave, Panjtarni – Sangam- Holy Cave, Chandanwari – Pissutop – Zozibal stretch.
Further, Granular sub base material applied on all slippery stretches along both routes.
ILCB tiles have been laid on slippery stretches of both routes i.e. Domail – Railpathri – Brari stretch on Baltal route and Chandanwari – Pissutop – Zozibal- MG Top stretch on Pahalgam route.
