Ist batch of 4603 pilgrims leaves from Bhagwati Nagar
Amid chanting bhajans & chanting ‘Bham Bham Bhole’ & Baba Barfani ki Jai’, pilgrims leave for yatra
JAMMU, June 28: Amid chants of “Bum BumBhole” and “HarHarMahadev”, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of 4,603 AmarnathYatra pilgrims from the YatriNiwas base camp in Bhagwati Nagar here on June 28.
The pilgrims left for the twin base camps in Kashmir — north Kashmir’s Baltal and south Kashmir’s Anantnag — from Jammu amid tight security. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha wished the pilgrims a safe journey.
The first batchdeparted for the sacred Amarnath Cave at approximately 5:30 am from YatriNiwas, Bhagwati Nagar. The pilgrims set off in a convoy of 231 vehicles, with 116 vehicles headed towards the traditional Pahalgam route and 115 towards the Baltal route.
Prior to the flag-off, LG Sinha visited YatriNiwas to inspect the arrangements made for the yatra. He interacted with the pilgrims, service providers, and reviewed the facilities including logistics, lodging, food, health services, transportation, and RFID counters. He also chaired a meeting with officials to ensure all necessary measures were in place to facilitate a comfortable stay for the pilgrims and directed the stakeholder departments to deploy adequate manpower to manage the heavy influx of devotees.
During the ceremony, the LG extended his best wishes to all the pilgrims, hoping for a safe, blessed, and spiritually enriching journey. “May the blessings of Baba AmarnathJi bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to everyone’s life,” he stated.
The event saw the presence of eminent spiritual leaders, heads of religious organizations, public representatives, senior officers of the Civil Administration, Police, Security Forces, ShriAmarnathJi Shrine Board, prominent citizens, and a large number of devotees. Amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras, the pilgrims embarked on their journey to the holy cave shrine, carrying with them the hopes and prayers of countless others.
