Sanjeev K Sharma
JAMMU, July 27: Commending the role of security forces (SFs) and the best arrangements put in place along with other facilities, the jubilant pilgrims proceeding towards their homes after performing the ongoing pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji in Kashmir Himalayas claimed that during their pilgrimage, the people of Kashmir co-operated them properly and helped them in whatever way they could.
After performing the pilgrimage few days back, the returning pilgrims during their stay at a lodgement centre in Jammu said that their overall experience in Jammu and Kashmir remained exciting and memorable.
Moti Lal Patil, 58, a diamond worker from Surat in Gujarat, who performed the pilgrimage for the seventh time, informed that the security arrangements for the Amarnath Ji pilgrimage was of very high standard and similar was the standard of other arrangements like transportation, stay etc for the visiting pilgrims.
“After performing the pilgrimage, I along with eight other members of my family including ladies also visited Pahalgam and it was all beautiful and charming with locals welcoming us with open hearts,” he claimed.
When asked if the porters or the vendors there loot the visiting pilgrims by charging exorbitantly, Patil replied that porters, vendors and others providing their services to the pilgrims were very much understanding.
“They have fixed a certain price for their services but they easily agree to the prices we decide after negotiating with them,” he informed adding: “Moreover, these people have a job only for one and a half month in a year and we realise this. As we were on a pilgrimage, it was not proper for us to underpay someone for their hard work.”
It was for the first time, Milin Kale, 36, a farmer from Jalna in Maharashtra has performed the revered pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji and paid obeisance to the Ice-Lingam.
“It was a call from Bhole Baba (Lord Shiva) so the fear failed to lower my morale though I was very much aware about the killings of tourists in Pahalgam area of Kashmir,” he told this reporter.
Kale also lauded the security forces, Indian army and unmatchable arrangements for the visiting pilgrims and praised the locals of J&K for their cooperation, hospitality and help to the pilgrims.
“I rue that I had no time to visit the worthy places in Jammu,” he further said.
An elderly housewife, Urmilla, 63, from Ahmadabad (Gujarat), whose both knees were replaced few months back, enthusiastically performed the Amarnath Ji pilgrimage for the first time and also paid obeisance at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine and Shiv Khori shrine in Reasi with her husband Kishore G Neve, who performed the Amarnath pilgrimage for the second time.
“When we left our home for the pilgrimage many relatives advised us to avoid the trip as all were aware of Pahalgam terrorist attack in which tourists were killed but we left it all to Bhole Baba and decided to carry on,” she stated.
Many more pilgrims at the lodgement centre echoed similar views and thanked the security forces and other organisers for the safe and smooth pilgrimage.
The annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji started on July 3, 2025 and thousands of pilgrims are performing the pilgrimage daily and the total number of pilgrims is nearing four lakh.
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