Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday flagged off the first batch of devotees for the Poonch-bound holy Shri Budha Amarnath shrine from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here.
The Lieutenant Governor extended his best wishes to all the pilgrims for a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey.
“The sacred journey to the abode of Mahadev is an enlightening experience. I strongly believe this pilgrimage is the greatest alchemy and unveils secrets of life before the devotees,” he said.
LG Sinha appreciated the meticulous work done by Baba Amarnath and Budha Amarnath Yatri Nyas, the tourism department, the district administration, other stakeholders, and organisations serving langar.
All the arrangements have been made for the annual pilgrimage and Budha Amarnath Ji Mela, the annual festival.
Interacting with media persons, the Lieutenant Governor said: “In the first batch, more than 1000 pilgrims from across the country set off for the holy yatra of Shri Budha Amarnath Ji.
”Till yesterday, 3.77 lakh pilgrims have performed darshan at the holy cave of Shri Amarnath in Kashmir. I hope that pilgrims from across the country will also arrive to pay their obeisance at Shri Budha Amarnath ji and pray to Bholenath for the peace and progress of J&K and the nation.”
Eminent spiritual leaders’ heads of religious organisations, public representatives, senior officers of civil administration, Police, security forces, prominent citizens, and devotees in large numbers were present at the flag-off ceremony.
Meanwhile, more than 78,000 pilgrims have so far paid obeisance at the Machail Mata temple in the Kishtwar district.