J&K: First batch of Budha Amarnath Yatra pilgrims reaches Poonch

Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], August 8 (ANI): The first batch of 700 pilgrims of the Baba Budha Amarnath Yatra reached Poonch on Wednesday night.

The Yatra is a pilgrimage to the Budha Amarnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Rajpura village in the Poonch district’s Loran valley. It began on Wednesday and will end on Sawan Purnima, celebrated as Raksha Bandhan, this month.

Budha Amarnath is among the oldest shrines in the Jammu region, drawing large numbers of devotees during the Yatra.

The Yatra was 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 who hails from Madhya Pradesh, said “We are happy and there is no tension among us, people and army are with us. Military is providing all kinds of help”.

Nearly 700 pilgrims from mainly Karnataka, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have come for the pilgrimage. Budha Amarnath yatra which started on August 7 will conclude on August 20.

Budha Amarnath temple is situated in the Poonch district of Jammu.

Due to recent terrorist activities in Poonch and Rajouri areas, the security arrangements are very high. Pilgrims said that they were excited about the Yatra and had no fear and forces had made good arrangements for their security.

Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar had said “The Buddha Amarnath Yatra starts from Jammu every year. All arrangements have been made for the pilgrims. Jammu & Kashmir police and Indian army are there to look after all the arrangements. Almost 700 pilgrims are going for the Yatra”.

ADGP Jammu and Kashmir Anand Jain assured that all the security arrangements have been made for the pilgrims.

“Tight security arrangements have been made for the Yatra, there is food and stay arrangements for the pilgrims throughout the Yatra” ADGP Jammu and Kashmir said.