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Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Kanwar Yatra begins, routes turn into vibrant hubs of devotion
MEERUT The holy month of Sawan began on Friday, marking the start of Kanwar Yatra across Uttar Pradesh with Lord Shiva devotees (Kanwariyas) setting out to collect holy water from the Ganga from Haridwar and other holy sites to offer 'Jalabhishek' at Shiva temples. Meerut and Bareilly came alive with spiritual fervour, colourful processions and robust administrative arrangements. (HH Photo) Meerut and Bareilly came alive with spiritual fervour, colourful processions and robust administrative arrangements. The Meerut administration prepared eight designated routes to accommodate the influx of pilgrims. 'All these routes are equipped with electrical connections, sanitation facilities and medical camps to ensure devotees face no obstacles,' said divisional commissioner (Meerut) Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod. The 540-km Kanwar route in the Meerut range, spanning Meerut, Bulandshahr, Baghpat and Hapur, features 119 security barriers, 184 rest points and 838 temporary camps. Additionally, 184 magistrates are overseeing 24 zones and 68 sectors, monitoring road cleanliness, food quality, and camp operations. 'We've ensured food outlets display rate lists to prevent overcharging and provide hygienic meals,' Yashod added. The UP Police, under DGP Rajiv Krishna, has deployed 587 gazetted officers, 2,040 inspectors, 13,520 sub-inspectors and over 39,965 constables, supported by 50 companies of the Central Police Force and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC). 'Our priority is a peaceful pilgrimage while maintaining law and order,' said SP Kunwar Anupam Singh, emphasizing route inspections and coordination with local committees. In Bareilly, a special Kanwar cell operates 24/7 to monitor activities and assist devotees. DIG Ajay Kumar Sahani detailed the deployment of 6,000 police personnel across eight super zones, 26 zones, 78 sectors and 218 sub-sectors. 'We've deployed 26 PAC platoons, one RAF company, and a flood relief PAC platoon to prevent drowning incidents,' Sahani said. Special measures for women Kanwariyas include 'anti-Romeo squads' and women constables under Mission Shakti. 'We've ensured separate toilets and resting facilities for women,' Sahani noted, adding that DJ operators are instructed to avoid provocative music to prevent communal tensions. The Yatra's festive spirit transformed Meerut and Bareilly into vibrant hubs. Kanwariyas, chanting 'Bum Bum Bhole', were seen marching in processions, adorned with flowers, bells and tridents, amid devotional songs. Temporary stalls offered 'prasad', saffron flags and Shiva idols, while volunteers distributed water and food. 'This Yatra is my heart's joy. Singing bhajans with fellow devotees feels divine,' said Sunita Devi, a Bareilly-based Kanwariya. However, some pilgrims noted challenges. 'The arrangements are good, but overcrowding can be tough. We trust the police to manage,' said Ramesh Kumar from Meerut. Pawan Kumar, a pilgrim from Hapur, added: 'The roads are smoother and the food transparency is a big relief. It lets us focus on our devotion to Bhole.' However, despite the festive zeal, unlawful activities surfaced. In Muzaffarnagar, Kanwariyas reportedly assaulted a youth and damaged his motorcycle over a minor altercation. 'Such acts disrupt the Yatra's sanctity and create fear,' said a police officer. In Bareilly, past tensions from Sawan 2023, when Kanwariyas clashed with with some members of another community in Jogi Nawada, led to restricted procession permissions this year. 'We've intensified vigilance to prevent law and order issues,' said SSP (Bareilly) Anurag Arya.
Deccan Herald
10-07-2025
- Deccan Herald
Faith trumps fear: Undeterred by Pahalgam attack, 1.3 lakh pilgrims embark on Amarnath yatra in first week
Chanting 'Bum Bum Bhole' and dancing along the steep, forested trails of South Kashmir, the pilgrims have surged ahead in what officials say is one of the most enthusiastic turnouts in recent years.
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Business Standard
07-07-2025
- Business Standard
Amarnath Yatra: Over 8,600 pilgrims leave Jammu base camp in sixth batch
Amid a multi-tier security cover, more than 8,600 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu early Monday to join the annual Amarnath pilgrimage in the Himalayas, officials said. More than 70,000 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine located at a height of 3,880 metres since the start of the 38-day yatra, which commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in the Anantnag district and Baltal in the Ganderbal district on July 3. The sixth batch of 8,605 pilgrims 6,486 men, 1,826 women, 42 children, and 251 sadhus and sadhvis left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here in 372 vehicles for the twin base camps in Kashmir amid tight security arrangements at 3.30 am and 4.25 am, the officials said. The first pilgrim convoy, carrying 3,486 pilgrims in 166 vehicles, left for the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in the Ganderbal district, followed by the second convoy of 5,119 pilgrims in 206 vehicles who are undertaking the yatra from the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route in the Anantnag district, they said. This was the largest batch of pilgrims since Wednesday, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the yatra in Jammu on July 2. With this, a total of 40,361 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the valley. There is a huge rush at the counters for on-the-spot registration, with authorities increasing the number of counters as well as the daily quota to ease the rush. Over 3,000 devotees arrived in Jammu from various parts of the country to get themselves registered. Amid chants of Bum Bum Bhole and Har Har Mahadev, enthusiastic pilgrims left with religious fervour for Amarnath from Jammu, which transformed into a "city of divinity". Undeterred by the Pahalgam terrorist attack that left 26 people dead on April 22, the pilgrims said that they have no fear as they embarked on the pilgrimage to seek blessings of Lord Shiva by paying obeisance at natural 'ice lingum' at the cave shrine. They said that they will pray to Shiva to end terrorism in Kashmir and the increasing number of devotees thronging the yatra will send a befitting reply to terrorists and Pakistan that they do not fear them. More than 3.5 lakh people have registered online for the pilgrimage so far. Thirty-four accommodation centres have been set up across Jammu, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are being issued to the pilgrims. Twelve counters have been set up for on-the-spot registration. Arrangements have been made to provide boarding and lodging facilities for more than 50,000 people at various lodgement centres across the Jammu region, from Lakhanpur to Banihal, they said. A total of 106 lodgement centres have been set up for the purpose, they added. A total of 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), which is 30 more than previous years, have been deployed for the security of the annual Amarnath Yatra in Jammu division this year, a senior police officer said.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Time of India
Over 8,600 pilgrims leave Jammu base camp for Amarnath Yatra in sixth batch
Amid a multi-tier security cover, more than 8,600 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu early Monday to join the annual Amarnath pilgrimage in the Himalayas , officials said. More than 70,000 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine located at a height of 3,880 metres since the start of the 38-day yatra, which commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in the Anantnag district and Baltal in the Ganderbal district on July 3. The sixth batch of 8,605 pilgrims - 6,486 men, 1,826 women, 42 children, and 251 sadhus and sadhvis - left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here in 372 vehicles for the twin base camps in Kashmir amid tight security arrangements at 3.30 am and 4.25 am, the officials said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is your tinnitus getting worse? Do this immediately (Watch) Hearing Magazine Undo The first pilgrim convoy, carrying 3,486 pilgrims in 166 vehicles, left for the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in the Ganderbal district, followed by the second convoy of 5,119 pilgrims in 206 vehicles who are undertaking the yatra from the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route in the Anantnag district, they said. This was the largest batch of pilgrims since Wednesday, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the yatra in Jammu on July 2. With this, a total of 40,361 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the valley. Live Events There is a huge rush at the counters for on-the-spot registration, with authorities increasing the number of counters as well as the daily quota to ease the rush. Over 3,000 devotees arrived in Jammu from various parts of the country to get themselves registered. Amid chants of "Bum Bum Bhole" and "Har Har Mahadev", enthusiastic pilgrims left with religious fervour for Amarnath from Jammu, which transformed into a "city of divinity". Undeterred by the Pahalgam terrorist attack that left 26 people dead on April 22, the pilgrims said that they have no fear as they embarked on the pilgrimage to seek blessings of Lord Shiva by paying obeisance at natural ' ice lingum ' at the cave shrine. They said that they will pray to Shiva to end terrorism in Kashmir and the increasing number of devotees thronging the yatra will send a befitting reply to terrorists and Pakistan - that they do not fear them. More than 3.5 lakh people have registered online for the pilgrimage so far. Thirty-four accommodation centres have been set up across Jammu, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are being issued to the pilgrims. Twelve counters have been set up for on-the-spot registration. Arrangements have been made to provide boarding and lodging facilities for more than 50,000 people at various lodgement centres across the Jammu region, from Lakhanpur to Banihal, they said. A total of 106 lodgement centres have been set up for the purpose, they added. A total of 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), which is 30 more than previous years, have been deployed for the security of the annual Amarnath Yatra in Jammu division this year, a senior police officer said.
Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Indian Express
MiG-29K T-shirts, faith in Army, and a call from Bhole Baba: An unprecedented Amarnath Yatra picks up
The whirring of the helicopter blades breaks the silence in the lush green mountains of Pahalgam. Every few minutes, an armoured vehicle rumbles past, with the personnel inside scanning the crowd. It is palpable that this year's Amarnath Yatra is taking place under the shadow of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, wherein 26 civilians were killed on the picturesque meadows in southern Kashmir. It used to be a celebration where devotees would jibe to EDM remixes of the latest devotional songs. This time, at the Nunwan base camp, the first campsite for the yatris, there is silence – no melodies that sadhus play, no shouts of Bum Bum Bhole. Instead, what's audible is the sound of metal detectors and a loudspeaker that regularly warns pilgrims not to go near the Lidder River, where chances of drowning are high. The yatris navigate through several security measures, including RFID tags that enable facial recognition, a physical pat-down, and bag examination through X-ray machines. The camp is equipped with 550 tents, 17 shops, 300 toilets, and 70 baths, all arranged in a grid, and can accommodate up to 5,500 pilgrims. However, the tents have barely filled up at noon on Friday. Mohammad Shami's three tents remain empty: 'Yesterday, I managed to fill them. I charge Rs 600 for a tent equipped with a bed, an electricity connection, and a blanket.' Durgesh Kumar, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, stands alone, his right sleeve pinned to his shirt where his arm should be. Ten years ago, a flour mill accident claimed his limb, but not his determination. 'My group of 30 people have left,' he said. Kumar headed here from Jammu when he was unable to get an RFID tag there. 'There is massive enthusiasm in Jammu. I was not getting a token. But Bhole blessed me with one today. I hope to catch up with my group soon. My wife and two children cried when I decided to come to Pahalgam. But I am undeterred,' he said. Then there's Gautam Mahato, who journeyed from Kharagpur. His white T-shirt, printed in Thailand by his employer, bears his photograph alongside his boss's son, a gift for his work as a contractor. 'My ticket was cancelled six times in the past,' Mahato said, beaming. 'I try every year, but Baba doesn't call me. This year, I got the chance to come.' 'My wife cried a lot. She said, 'Why do you go there when Bhole Baba has stopped you six times?' I told her this time, God has called me, so I will go,' he said. For some pilgrims, the terror attack has become a catalyst for participation rather than deterrence. Anil Kumar from the Ram Mandir Sansthan group in Ayodhya leads 11 first-time pilgrims. 'Humare andar aur ichcha jaagi,' he said. 'We wanted to come to Amarnath because of the terror attack,' said Arjun Jaiswal, another member of the group. The sentiment is echoed by a group of 43 people from Gorakhpur, many wearing MiG 29K T-shirts in support of Operation Sindoor. They have been making this pilgrimage for several years. Sarvajit Gupta (23), from the Gorakhpur group, articulated what many feel: 'I told my family that if the Indian Army is there, then there is nothing to fear. When our family asked us not to go, it lit a fire in our hearts. We decided to rope in as many people as possible. We have come here to show that we won't bow to fear.' At ground zero in Pahalgam, personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police now work alongside local police in intensive frisking operations that can stretch for hours. A BSF constable in dark aviators and a tactical face mask politely declines a family's request for a selfie. 'Maaf karna, authority nahi hai,' he said. This is his third posting for the Amarnath Yatra, and he has watched the security apparatus evolve into something unprecedented. 'There is no scope for any mistake,' the constable said, his eyes scanning the crowd even as he spoke. At the Pahalgam main market, the berry shops, Kashmir handloom stores and tea shops barely have any customers. Three women from Bhopal wait for their husbands to join them here. Lata Kushwaha left her 3-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son with their grandparents back home. Her relative Lakshmi Kushwaha has the same worry; her 13-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter are hundreds of miles away. 'We always go somewhere,' said Priya Kushwaha, the third woman. 'This time, we thought we would go to Amarnath. We went to Kedarnath last year, and we got everything in a single day.' They left in a group of 18, but not all have got their RFID tags. Three days were spent running from pillar to post in Jammu, chasing the elusive registration passes that would grant them access to the holy cave. 'We don't care about the terror attack,' Priya said. 'We just want to do darshan no matter what.' Jahid Azad, the assistant director of the Tourism department at Pahalgam, told The Indian Express, 'We expected the crowd to be pretty low due to the unfortunate terror attack. This time, we were caught by surprise as many yatris came for darshan from the Pahalgam route. But overall, the tourism footfall in Pahalgam has taken a hit. We are preparing a report to enumerate the economic impact of this.' Azad said they were expecting 1,000 yatris per day, but the numbers have gone up to 3,000-4,000. 'From the Pahalgam route, 12,000 pilgrims have left since the yatra began. We have to see how long this keeps up,' he said.
