Latest news with #AmaranthYatra
Mint
21 hours ago
- Mint
First batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims sets off from Jammu. ‘No threats can deter spirit of devotees,' says L-G
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the Amarnath Yatra from Jammu on July 2. The first batch of pilgrims set off from Lakhanpur to the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu amid tight security arrangements, marking the official start of the Amarnath Yatra 2025. The Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu serves as the primary base camp for pilgrims from across the country before they proceed to the cave shrine of Amarnath nestled in the majestic Himalayas of South Kashmir. The 38-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high shrine will commence on July 3 from the Valley via the twin tracks — the traditional 48-kilometre Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter 14 kilometres but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The yatra will conclude on August 9. As many as 3,31,000 devotees have registered for this year's yatra so far, according to officials. On-the-spot registration of devotees arriving here for the pilgrimage has also started. The officials said the devotees will be ferried to the twin base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal amid heavy security escort, traffic restrictions, and area domination along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. Traffic restrictions will be imposed on various routes from July 2 to August 9, with daily advisories issued to minimise inconvenience, a traffic officer said, adding that cut-off timings have been fixed for each sector on the highway, which is monitored through CCTVs. The LG, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), reviewed the security and other arrangements for the yatra at a high-level meeting, the officials said. The annual Amaranth Yatra assumes significance this time since it is coming about two months after the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed on April 22 at the famed hill station in South Kashmir. The Yatra passes through Pahalgam too. The eyes of the world are on this Amarnath Yatra, and no threats can deter the spirit of people undertaking the pilgrimage, Sinha said on Tuesday. Attending the 'Tawi Aarti' at the Tawi Riverfront in Jammu, he asserted that this year's Amarnath Yatra will be even more historic than the previous ones, and for him, it was an opportunity to restore the ancient glory of Jammu and Kashmir. 'The world's eyes are on this Yatra. The devotees' resolve is unshakeable; no threats can deter their spirit. With the cooperation and support of everyone, this year's Yatra will be even more historic than previous years,' he said. No threats can deter their spirit. The entire J&K is experiencing spiritual bliss on the eve of the holy pilgrimage of Amarnath Ji, Sinha said. 'The people of Jammu and Kashmir are ready to welcome the devotees of Baba Barfani from across the country. May Lord Shiva bless everyone with health, happiness, and harmony,' he added. Key Takeaways The Amarnath Yatra is crucial for spiritual rejuvenation, especially after recent security incidents. Heavy security measures and traffic restrictions are in place to ensure the safety of pilgrims. The event represents resilience and the unshakeable faith of devotees in the face of adversity.
News18
4 days ago
- Politics
- News18
J&K LG Manoj Sinha Holds Meeting In Srinagar To Discuss Arrangements For Amaranth Yatra
Last Updated: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha urged all stakeholders to turn the yatra into a vibrant expression of spirituality, unity, and communal harmony. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday described the annual Amarnath Yatra as a true people's pilgrimage, emphasising that every resident of Jammu and Kashmir plays a vital role in the sacred journey. He urged all stakeholders to turn the yatra into a vibrant expression of spirituality, unity, and communal harmony. 'Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra stands as a powerful symbol of Jammu and Kashmir's glorious past and its promising future. It is truly a peoples' yatra. Every citizen is a key stakeholder of this holy pilgrimage which also holds profound socio-economic, spiritual, and cultural significance for every section of society,' he said. Ahead of the annual Amaranth Yatra starting on July 3, the lieutenant governor interacted with various stakeholders here to discuss arrangements for smooth pilgrimage. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was present at the interaction at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) here in which members of the civil society, religious leaders, DDC chairpersons, members of business and trade associations, and MLAs also participated. 'I appeal to the civil society members, elected public representatives, religious, trade and business organizations to make this pilgrimage a vibrant celebration of spirituality, unity, love and communal harmony," Sinha said. The lieutenant governor welcomed the suggestions from various sections of the society and sought their active participation and cooperation in smooth conduct of the holy pilgrimage. He said the peaceful conduct of this holy yatra will send a strong message that the people of Jammu Kashmir stand united. 'Spiritual leaders, civil society members, public representatives, trade and business fraternity are respected members of J&K family and are carrying forward this thousands-of-years-old spiritual tradition with complete devotion. This year too, maintaining social harmony and social unity and ensuring peaceful and successful conduct of the holy pilgrimage is your responsibility," he said. Sinha highlighted the key initiatives by Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, administration, J&K Police, security forces and other stakeholders for enhancing the pilgrim-centric facilities and making the yatra more secure and safer for the pilgrims. The lieutenant governor also urged the pilgrims to travel in the designated convoys. 'I have made an on-ground assessment of the facilities on the yatra tracks which were recently developed for the convenience of pilgrims. The number of pilgrims' registration have been increasing continuously and I am confident that the large number of devotees will visit the holy cave to pay their obeisance to Baba Barfani," he said. Sinha said Jammu Kashmir and its people have always rejected distinctions between sects and religions, consistently extending respect and acceptance to every faith and its unique forms of worship. 'With this very spirit, let us welcome the lakhs of devotees arriving for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra and, through our collective efforts, ensure a successful, peaceful and hassle-free pilgrimage for all the devotees," he added. The lieutenant governor said the administration has made preparations, including security-related, for comfort of the visiting pilgrims. 'Despite challenging weather conditions and tough terrain, efforts have been made to ensure better facilities for the pilgrims. Many of you are aware of this. Significant improvements have taken place," said Sinha in his address. 'I also know that people from Jammu and Kashmir, especially those involved in this yatra, have served with dedication and will continue to do so," he added. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the lieutenant governor said the stakeholders have assured of all possible support to make the yatra a success. 'I had invited all the senior leaders and representatives of the political parties to the Raj Bhavan and requested them to make the Amarnath Yatra and Muharram successful. They assured me of support for both the yatra as well as Muharram," said Sinha. 'The members of the civil society, religious leaders, DDC chairpersons, office bearers of business and trade associations, and MLAs, were here for consultations today. Senior officers were also present. We have been doing this endeavour for the last four years," he added. The lieutenant governor said the stakeholders have assured him that the yatra belongs more to people than the administration and shrine board, and all will provide their support to make the yatra successful. 'I hope that with the blessings of Baba Amarnath, the yatra will be successful," he added. tags : Amarnath Yatra J&K manoj sinha Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India First Published: June 28, 2025, 23:17 IST News india J&K LG Manoj Sinha Holds Meeting In Srinagar To Discuss Arrangements For Amaranth Yatra
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Better facilities for pilgrims': J&K LG Manoj Sinha reviews Amarnath Yatra arrangements
Ahead of the annual Amaranth Yatra, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha interacted with various stakeholders here on Saturday to discuss arrangements for smooth pilgrimage. Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha addressing a press conference in Srinagar.(ANI File ) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was present at the interaction at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) here in which members of the civil society, religious leaders, DDC chairpersons, members of business and trade associations, and MLAs also participated. The lieutenant governor said the administration has made preparations, including security-related, for comfort of the visiting pilgrims. "Despite challenging weather conditions and tough terrain, efforts have been made to ensure better facilities for the pilgrims. Many of you are aware of this. Significant improvements have taken place. I also know that people from Jammu and Kashmir, especially those involved in this yatra, have served with dedication and will continue to do so," he said in his address. Stakeholders assure full support for Amarnath Yatra, Muharram: LG Sinha Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the lieutenant governor said the stakeholders have assured of all possible support to make the yatra a success. "I had invited all the senior leaders and representatives of the political parties to the Raj Bhavan and requested them to make the Amarnath Yatra and Muharram successful. They assured me of support for both the yatra as well as Muharram," said Sinha. "The members of the civil society, religious leaders, DDC chairpersons, office bearers of business and trade associations, and MLAs, were here for consultations today. Senior officers were also present. We have been doing this endeavour for the last four years," he added. The lieutenant governor said the stakeholders have assured him that the yatra belongs more to people than the administration and shrine board, and all will provide their support to make the yatra successful. "I hope that with the blessings of Baba Amarnath, the yatra will be successful," he added.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
One terrorist killed, three trapped as encounter erupts in J&K
SRINAGAR: Amid increased security for the annual Amaranth Yatra beginning July 3, an encounter between terrorists and security forces in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday left a terrorist dead, while three others are trapped. 'Based on specific intelligence, a joint operation was launched by Indian Army and J&K Police in the Bihali area of Basantgarh in Udhampur district today,' the Army posted on X (formerly Twitter). The forces immediately laid siege around the area to track down the terrorists, braving inclement weather. 'During the search operation, security forces established contact with the hiding terrorists who fired on the search party,' the official said. He said the troops returned fire, triggering an encounter which lasted the entire day. 'A terrorist was killed in the gunfight so far,' an army official said. He said the security operation is going on to track down the remaining terrorists trapped in the area. According to IGP Jammu, security forces have inputs that four militants were trapped in the encounter. Additional troops have been rushed to the area to tighten the siege. The security forces used drones and other surveillance gadgets to pinpoint the movement of the terrorists. He said security agencies believe that it is the same group of militants, which has been active in Udhampur for the last year. It is suspected that the group belongs to Jaish-e-Mohammad and all of them are Pakistani nationals and well-armed and properly trained. The group was trapped in cordon and search operations on many occasions in Udhampur last year, too. But they had managed to give the slip to the security men, sources said. According to sources, security forces have been conducting aerial surveillance of the area through drones and other surveillance gadgets to keep track of the movement of the militants, who have been continuously changing their positions to escape the security forces cordon. There are heightened security measures for the Amarnath Yatra this year after the April 22 terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam's Baisaran in which 25 tourists and a local ponywala were killed. 10% drop in Amarnath registration post attack: L-G J&K Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha said on Thursday said there has been a drop of over 10% in pilgrim registration for this year's Amarnath Yatra in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. In view of the persisting threat, a total of 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces, which is 30 more than previous years, have been deployed for the security of annual Amarnath Yatra in Jammu division this year,
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
After record footfall last year, Amarnath Yatra sees dip in registrations under shadow of Pahalgam terror attack
Registration for the Amaranth Yatra, which is taking place just months after the Pahalgam terror attack, has seen a dip so far this year, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Thursday. This year's numbers have been directly impacted by the April 22 attack, before which, the LG said, over 2.36 lakh yatris had registered for the yatra. So far, 85,000 have confirmed their registrations. This, he said, would mark a decline of 10.19 per cent in registrations from last year. 'This year, before April 22, registration numbers were significant. After the unfortunate incident of April 22, registration has seen a decline, but it is picking up again. We are reaching out to those who had registered before April 22, and this number will increase,' Sinha said. The annual Amarnath Yatra is set to begin on July 3 and will continue till August 9. Last year, the yatra recorded the highest footfall in 12 years, with over five lakh devotees visiting the holy cave. With security concerns high this year, Sinha said that the presence of J&K Police officers and the number of companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been increased. 'The J&K Police, Army and CAPFs have set up a foolproof security system, and there will be three-tier security on both routes to the Amarnath cave. Mock drills have also been completed,' he said. Sinha added that the security of tourist spots has been enhanced. 'I say with responsibility that security measures have been taken with all possibilities in mind,' he said. In his appeal to the devotees travelling to Kashmir for the yatra, Sinha emphasised that all devotees 'must travel with the convoy, even those travelling in their private cars', to ensure the security of all individuals. This year's yatra will not include helicopter services as the area has been declared a no-fly zone. However, the LG said that only about 8 per cent of the yatris used the service, and it is unlikely to affect numbers significantly. The Amarnath Yatra has two main routes for pilgrims: the traditional Pahalgam route and the shorter Baltal route. He said that the route to the cave that was earlier about five feet wide has now been widened to 12 feet, 'and all vulnerable spots along the trek have been addressed'. The annual yatra invites devotees from all parts of the country and runs for over 40 days. There have also been concerns about increased security measures causing traffic snarls along the highways. However, the LG said that adequate travel advisories for tourists and locals will be issued closer to the beginning of the yatra. Additionally, with Muharram set to begin on June 27, Sinha added that processions in Srinagar 'will use the same routes as last year'.
