Shri Amarnath Yatra kicks off with ‘Pratham Puja’, LG Sinha attends via video conference

'Every possible measure taken to ensure safe yatra'

Jammu: The ‘Pratham Puja’ on Saturday marked the beginning of this year's Amarnath Yatra to Jammu and Kashmir. The ‘Pratham Puja’ of Baba Amarnath was attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha virtually joined the ceremony from Raj Bhawan in Srinagar.
After virtually attending ‘Pratham Puja’, held in Amarnath, J&K Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his dedication and support for the sacred journey. Devotees can visit Amarnath and offer prayers to Baba Barfani from 29 June.
“From June 29th, devotees across the country can get the darshan of 'Baba Amarnath'...all the necessary facilities have made been done for the devotees coming. Security arrangements have also been made,” LG Manoj Sinha said.
"Today performed the 'Pratham Puja' to mark the ceremonial commencement of the Annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. Sought Baba Amarnathji's blessings and prayed for the good health, progress, and well-being of all the people," Sinha said in a series of posts on X.
"We have brought in a qualitative improvement in the overall Yatra experience for devotees, and there has been significant enhancement in essential facilities, infrastructure, and security. This year Yatra will start on June 29th,"" he added.
He said officials of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and concerned departments are committed to providing better facilities and services for pilgrims.
"We are taking every possible measure to ensure the yatra is smooth, safe, and hassle-free," LG said.
Sinha urged citizens to come together to welcome the pilgrims.
"It has been ancient tradition of J&K that people from all communities participate in this yatra, irrespective of their religion. I urge all enlightened citizens to come together to welcome and serve the pilgrims coming from different parts of the country and abroad," LG said.
Ahead of the official beginning of the pilgrimage, security forces have beefed up arrangements on the route and the pilgrim site for the safety of devotees. The police are reviewing the arrangements made for Amarnath Yatra to ensure a smooth, secure, and successful pilgrimage for the devotees, said Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) of Jammu Anand Jain on Friday.
He added that the police are also reviewing the implementation of the cut-off timings during the Amarnath Yatra to ensure the smooth flow of pilgrims from and to Jammu and Kashmir.
The Amarnath Yatra involves a challenging trek to the Amarnath cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir. Hundreds of thousands of devotees each year visit the temple to offer prayers to Lord Shiva.
During a recent briefing session with police officers, Anand Jain laid emphasis on ensuring the necessary facilities for the pilgrims, including medical aid. He also ordered the officers to ensure a secure, smooth and successful pilgrimage for the devotees.
Last year, more than 4.5 lakh devotees took the holy darshan. Amid frequent terror attacks in the region, security of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims will remain prime concerns for the security officials.