The annual pilgrimage to the ancient Budha Amarnath shrine in Poonch district has officially begun, with the first batch of devotees embarking on their journey from Jammu on Monday. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha led the flagging-off ceremony amidst a display of religious fervor and robust security arrangements. The 12-day yatra, a significant religious event for Hindus, is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival. The Baba Budha Amarnath temple, located in Rajpura, Mandi tehsil, is a revered site for devotees of Lord Shiva.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the pilgrims were dispatched from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas around 6:30 am, following a customary pooja. Lieutenant Governor Sinha, addressing the gathering, expressed his blessings for a smooth, safe, and spiritually enriching experience for all participants hailing from across the nation. He invoked Lord Shiva, praying for the well-being of every pilgrim on their sacred journey. The convoys are traveling under a comprehensive security umbrella, including police escorts and the deployment of additional central armed police forces along the critical Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch route. This multi-tier security apparatus includes extensive surveillance operations in Rajouri and Poonch districts, with special operations group personnel actively conducting search and verification exercises at various locations, including accommodation sites like Dashnami Akhara. Security forces have also intensified their presence and search operations along the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch highway to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.
Lieutenant Governor Sinha, who had also attended the inaugural function on Sunday, emphasized the profound spiritual significance of the yatra, describing it not merely as a physical undertaking but as an inward journey towards self-realization and communion with the eternal consciousness of Lord Shiva. He further characterized the pilgrimage as a path that embodies devotion, discipline, and unity. The commencement of the yatra was marked by scenes of palpable religious enthusiasm in Jammu, with devotees from various states including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Gujarat gathering to participate. Chants of “Bam Bam Bhole,” “Jai Bholenath,” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” filled the air as the pilgrims set off. Rita Devi, a participant from Uttar Pradesh, conveyed her excitement and pride in being part of this religious endeavor. Devrattan from Karnataka highlighted the immense religious and cultural importance of the yatra, expressing his satisfaction at its large-scale resumption after past disruptions attributed to terror-related incidents.
The Traffic Police have issued a specific advisory detailing mandatory cut-off timings for registered pilgrim convoys traversing the Jammu-Poonch route between August 17 and August 28. To support the pilgrims, ‘langars’ (community kitchens) and reception counters have been strategically established at key transit points, including Sunderbani, Nowshera, and Rajal within the Rajouri district. The Poonch district administration has also introduced a dedicated online portal to streamline and facilitate the advance registration process for pilgrims arriving from all parts of the country. The Budha Amarnath shrine, situated at an altitude of approximately 4,600 feet above sea level, is renowned for its naturally formed white stone Shivling, believed to be self-manifested. Tradition dictates that devotees take a holy dip in the nearby Pulastya River, named after the sage Pulastya, before proceeding to the temple to offer their prayers. The resumption of this significant pilgrimage underscores the ongoing efforts to promote religious tourism and ensure the safety and security of devotees undertaking such journeys in the region.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.