Undeterred by terror incidents, devotees of Bhole Baba arriving in huge numbers: LG

Sinha flags off first batch of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatris

STATE TIMES NEWS

• Extends his best wishes to all the for safe, blissful journey
• Says, this sacred pilgrimage is journey of faith and self-discovery. Wishing all spiritual seekers a safe and comfortable journey to holy abode of Lord Shiva and deeply soul-stirring experience
• I hope that this year’s Yatra will be even more historic than previous years

JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of devotees for the pilgrimage to the holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji, from Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp, on Wednesday.

The Lieutenant Governor extended his best wishes to all the pilgrims for a safe and blissful journey.
“This sacred pilgrimage is a journey of faith and self-discovery. Wishing all spiritual seekers a safe and comfortable journey to the holy abode of Lord Shiva and deep soul-stirring experience,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Interacting with the media persons, the Lieutenant Governor said the administration, people of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, J&K Police, and security forces have made elaborate arrangements for the pilgrims.
“More than 4,500 devotees set off to the holy Cave Shrine in the first batch for the darshan of Baba Barfani today. Jammu city has come alive with a new vibrancy. The enthusiasm of pilgrims is very high.
Undeterred by terror incidents, devotees of Bhole Baba are arriving in huge numbers, demonstrating their immense faith. I hope that this year’s Yatra will be even more historic than previous years,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
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 at the Flag-off ceremony.
The first batch of pilgrims for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2025 arrived at the Baltal Base Camp, marking the formal commencement of the annual pilgrimage.
In a spirit of devotion and hospitality, the District Administration Ganderbal extended a warm and heartfelt welcome to the Yatris at the base camp. The welcome ceremony was graced by the presence of Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Jatin Kishore, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Syed Fahim Bihaqi, SDM Kangan, along with officers from the Civil Administration, Police and members of the local community.

Amid chants of “Bum Bum Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev”, enthusiastic pilgrims braved heavy rain as they left in a convoy of vehicles for Shri Amarnath yatra from Jammu, which was transformed into a city of divinity.
Undeterred by the Pahalgam terrorist attack that left 26 people dead on April 22, the pilgrims said the increasing number of devotees thronging the yatra will send a befitting reply to terrorists and Pakistan — that they do not fear them.
Sarwanand Patel, a yatri from Gujarat who left in the first batch from Jammu, said, “No matter how many attacks happen or how many bombs are hurled, devotees will not be deterred. We are not scared. Pilgrims will definitely come for darshan. I want to tell the nation that there is no need to be afraid. The large number of pilgrims is a befitting reply to them.”
Sunita, a teenage pilgrim from Uttar Pradesh, said they had planned to be part of the first batch and today it became a reality.
“We are happy to get darshan of Bholenath in the first batch. We are not scared because we know the security would be adequate. The arrangements are very good — food, accommodation, sanitation, and all facilities,” she said.
Another devotee, Ramesh Chander, who has been travelling to Amarnath for the past nine years, praised the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and the administration for making the best possible arrangements.
“These are the best arrangements. We pray that everybody gets darshan in peace. There is nothing to fear. The Army and other security forces are here to guard the yatra.”
Traffic restrictions will be imposed on various routes from July 2 to August 9, and daily advisories will be issued to minimise inconvenience, a traffic officer said, adding that cut-off timings have been fixed for each sector on the highway, which is monitored through CCTV surveillance.
Apart from the over 3.30 lakh yatris registered for this year’s yatra, on-the-spot registration of devotees arriving for the pilgrimage has also started in Jammu, they said.
Jammu has come under a security blanket with enhanced measures, including a multi-layered security grid and the use of technology for surveillance.
Soon after the flagging off, J-K BJP President Sat Sharma said that thousands of devotees have come for the darshan of Baba Amarnath.
“The atmosphere created two months ago by the terror incident (in Pahalgam) has been replaced by religious fervour and divinity. People have faith that they are in safe hands in Jammu and Kashmir,” Sharma said.
The DIG of Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban range, Shridhar Patil, said that no drones or any other flying objects will be permitted along the yatra route without prior permission from the concerned deputy commissioner.
“All aerial activities in the area are prohibited to maintain tight security. Anyone violating this rule will face strict action,” he warned.