Jammu, Aug 17 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, on Monday flagged off the Shri Budha Amarnath ji Yatra 2026 from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu.
Officials said marking the commencement of the annual spiritual journey, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday flagged off the first batch of devotees for the holy Shri Budha Amarnath Ji Yatra from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, while extending warm wishes to all pilgrims for a safe and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed deep appreciation to the Baba Amarnath and Budha Amarnath Yatri Nyas along with VHP and Bajrang Dal, local authorities, langar organisations and civil society groups for their meticulous coordination and comprehensive arrangements ensuring the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage and the Budha Amarnath Ji Mela.
“The sacred journey to Baba Budha Amarnath’s abode is a deeply enlightening experience. I firmly believe this pilgrimage brings profound transformation and reveals life’s deepest truths to every devotee,” he said.
A large gathering of eminent spiritual leaders, religious heads, public representatives, senior civil and police administrators, security officials, prominent citizens, and enthusiastic devotees attended the flag-off ceremony.
The annual Shri Budha Amarnath Yatra is a sacred 12-day Hindu pilgrimage in Jammu and Kashmir. It journeys from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu about 230 km northwest to the ancient Budha Amarnath temple in the mountainous Poonch district, sitting at an altitude of 4,600 feet.
The Budha Amarnath Yatra spans roughly 230 kilometres from Jammu through Rajouri and Sunderbani up to Rajpura and Mandi in Poonch.
The shrine features a self-manifested white stone Shivling. Pilgrims traditionally take a holy dip in the adjacent Pulastya River before offering prayers.
Security and coordination are managed by the local administration, security forces, and community organisations like the Baba Amarnath and Budha Amarnath Yatri Nyas.
The Shri Amarnath ji Yatra started on July 3 and will end on August 28 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.
–IANS
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