Special bus services to ferry yatris to Tawi Maha Aarti from July 2
Vikram Sharma
JAMMU: In a spiritually enriching initiative ahead of the Shri Amarnath Yatra 2025, devotees arriving in Jammu will be welcomed with a daily musical Maha Aarti on the banks of the Surya Putri Tawi River.
Beginning July 2, one day prior to the commencement of the pilgrimage, the Maha Aarti will be held every evening at Aarti Ghat on the Tawi River Front, a facility developed under the Jammu Smart City project.
The initiative is being jointly organized by the Municipal Corporation Jammu and Jammu Smart City Limited, with preparations nearing completion. Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, Dr. Devansh Yadav, emphasized the tourism and spiritual significance of this daily ritual, stating that the Maha Aarti would not only enhance the religious atmosphere of the city but also offer a serene welcome to Amarnath pilgrims.
On June 11, ahead of the formal start, a special Maha Aarti has been proposed by Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Shri Raghunathji Corridor Development Council at 6 PM, inviting participation from various local religious, social, and political organizations. The day’s events will begin with a Havan at 9 AM at the Tawi River Front near the Warehouse area, followed by Purnahuti at 10 AM and Langar (community meal) distribution.
The daily Maha Aarti at 6 PM from July 2 will feature devotional music, collective prayers, and ceremonial rituals, attracting large gatherings of citizens, tourists, and pilgrims. Devotees will also have the opportunity to actively participate in the ceremony, making it a shared spiritual experience.
To ensure a smooth and pleasant experience for visitors, the Municipal Corporation is undertaking extensive arrangements, including enhanced cleanliness, illumination, and installation of street lights along both banks of the Tawi River. The city administration is also deploying special bus services to transport pilgrims from the Amarnath Yatri Niwas to the Tawi River Front, ensuring their easy participation in the evening Maha Aarti.
Dr. Yadav added that the initiative, through collective efforts of civic bodies and spiritual organizations, is aimed at creating a spiritually vibrant atmosphere in Jammu during the Yatra period. The daily Maha Aarti will serve as a beacon of devotion, unity, and cultural heritage, offering pilgrims a divine start to their sacred journey.
