Pilgrims should visit for Amarnath yatra in large numbers: LG

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha performs 'Pratham Puja' at Amarnath Ji cave shrine on Wednesday.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha performs 'Pratham Puja' at Amarnath Ji cave shrine on Wednesday.

Sinha performs ‘Pratham Puja’ at cave shrine

1st SASB Chairman to undertake yatra through Baltal track

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, June 11: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said foolproof security arrangements have been made for the forthcoming annual Amarnath Yatra and urged pilgrims to visit the cave shrine in large numbers.

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Sinha performed the ‘Pratham Puja’ at the cave shrine, marking the ceremonial beginning of the annual yatra this year.
“The Pratham Puja was concluded. I request the devotees to come in large numbers for the yatra which will start on July 3 and conclude on Raksha Bandhan on August 9,” Sinha said.
He said the Shrine Board and the administration have improved the facilities for the pilgrims this year.
“Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army, CRPF, and other CAPFs have made foolproof security arrangements. So, I think there is no need for anyone to think about anything, they should come and take Baba’s blessings,” Sinha added.

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“Har Har Mahadev! Paid my obeisance to Baba Barfani and performed the ‘Pratham Puja’ at the holy cave, marking the ceremonial beginning of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. May Baba Amarnathji keep showering his divine blessings on all of us,” the LG said on ‘X’ later.
He said the J-K administration, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, Army, BRO, CAPFs, J-K Police and all stakeholders are working with complete devotion, dedication, collaboration and clear objectives for hassle-free and safe pilgrimage.
“Invaluable contributions of people of J&K, Civil Society and all service providers have always been truly exceptional. I have full faith that significant improvements to facilities and services will ensure this year’s pilgrimage is memorable and spiritually fulfilling for all devotees,” he said.
Sinha earlier conducted inspection of works for yatra at the Baltal axis of the pilgrimage.
He ascertained the progress of the works being carried out at the Disaster Management and Yatri Niwas Complex of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board at Baltal axis in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir, an official spokesman said.
Sinha directed the officials to timely complete the infrastructure projects being developed to enhance facilities for pilgrims of the yatra.
The 38-day yatra is scheduled to begin on July 3 from the twin axis of Baltal and Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
GOC 15 Corps, Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava; Nalin Prabhat, DGP J&K; Amarnath Ji Shrine Board Member, KN Rai; Amarnath Ji Shrine Board CEO and Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri; IGP Kashmir, VK Birdi and other senior officials were also present at the holy cave.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha became the first Chairman of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board to reach the holy cave in recent times through Baltal track.
He inspected the maintenance, upgradation and widening of yatra track enroute and took first-hand appraisal of the measures taken by the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to ensure the safe and hassle-free pilgrimage of the devotees. He lauded the unprecedented works done by the BRO and SASB.
Sinha said after culmination of the yatra in 2024, special focus has been laid on developing safe yatra tracks on both the routes.
“The alternate route from Chandanwari to Pissutop will be made available with safety hand railing and surfacing for Yatra 2025 for facilitating the on-foot yatris and better managing the yatra along the Chandanwari axis,” he added.
The safety hand railing in vulnerable stretches has been developed on Pahalgam route.
The unstable formations along both the routes are addressed with gabion/ breast walls, ILC fence and installation of wire mesh to overcome the danger possessed by the shooting stones on Railpathri-Brarimarg, Kalimata- lower cave, Panjtarni – Sangam- holy cave, Chandanwari – Pissutop – Zozibal stretch.
Further, Granular sub base material has been applied on all slippery stretches along both routes.
ILCB tiles have been laid on slippery stretches of both routes i.e. Domail – Railpathri – Brari stretch on Baltal route and Chandanwari – Pissutop – Zozibal- MG Top stretch on Pahalgam route.