Jammu, July 2: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 from Jammu, marking the formal commencement of the annual pilgrimage amid elaborate security arrangements and comprehensive logistical preparations across Jammu and Kashmir.
The flag-off ceremony witnessed enthusiastic participation from devotees, officials and security personnel, as the first convoy of pilgrims embarked on the sacred journey to the revered Amarnath cave shrine.
Speaking on the occasion, Jugal Kishore Sharma described the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra as one of the country’s most revered spiritual pilgrimages. He expressed confidence that the annual Yatra would be conducted peacefully and successfully, while appreciating the extensive arrangements made for the pilgrims.
He noted that the enthusiasm among devotees continues to grow every year and prayed for the smooth and successful completion of the pilgrimage.
Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, also extended his best wishes to the pilgrims. He said that the facilities and arrangements put in place by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) would ensure a safe, comfortable and hassle-free pilgrimage for all devotees.
Expressing optimism, he said this year’s Yatra is expected to witness a record number of pilgrims, surpassing previous years in terms of participation.
Meanwhile, a spiritually charged atmosphere prevailed at both the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps, where thousands of devotees enthusiastically chanted “Bam Bam Bhole” as the annual pilgrimage officially commenced with deep religious fervour.
To ensure foolproof security, personnel of the CRPF’s 137 Battalion, assisted by a specialised K9 squad, carried out an extensive sanitisation drive along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Udhampur ahead of the movement of the pilgrim convoy.
Authorities have deployed multi-layered security arrangements, surveillance systems and extensive logistical support throughout the Yatra route to ensure the safe, smooth and successful conduct of the annual pilgrimage.(KNC)
