First Batch of 700 Pilgrims Reach Poonch for Budha Amarnath Yatra

The first group of 700 pilgrims arrived in Poonch on Wednesday night for the Budha Amarnath Yatra, a pilgrimage to the ancient Budha Amarnath Temple in Rajpura village. The annual Yatra started on August 7 and will conclude on August 20, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.

The first batch of 700 pilgrims of the Baba Budha Amarnath Yatra reached Poonch on Wednesday night. This Yatra is a pilgrimage to the Budha Amarnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Rajpura village within the Loran valley of Poonch district. It commenced on Wednesday and is set to conclude on Sawan Purnima, celebrated as Raksha Bandhan, later this month.

The Budha Amarnath shrine is recognized as one of the oldest in the Jammu region and attracts numerous devotees during the Yatra. The pilgrimage was officially flagged off by Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu Anand Jain from Yatra Niwas in Jammu on Wednesday.

Balwan Singh Thakur, a pilgrim from Madhya Pradesh, expressed satisfaction and calm, stating, "We are happy and there is no tension among us; people and the army are with us. The military is providing all kinds of help." Approximately 700 pilgrims from Karnataka, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh have embarked on the pilgrimage. The Yatra, which began on August 7, will conclude on August 20.

The Budha Amarnath temple is situated in the Poonch district of Jammu. In light of recent terrorist activities in the Poonch and Rajouri areas, security measures have been significantly heightened. Pilgrims expressed excitement for the Yatra, reporting no fear thanks to the robust security arrangements.

Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar noted, "The Buddha Amarnath Yatra starts from Jammu every year. All arrangements have been made for the pilgrims. Jammu & Kashmir police and the Indian army are overseeing all arrangements. Nearly 700 pilgrims are participating in the Yatra." ADGP Jammu and Kashmir Anand Jain affirmed that comprehensive security arrangements have been implemented for the pilgrims.

AGDP Jammu and Kashmir emphasized, "Tight security arrangements have been made for the Yatra. There are provisions for food and accommodations for the pilgrims throughout the journey." (ANI)