SRINAGAR : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said the Shri Baba Budha Amarnath Ji Yatra is a sacred journey of devotion, discipline and unity, urging devotees to follow the path of dharma and truth in their daily lives.
Addressing the inaugural function of the annual pilgrimage, Sinha said the yatra was not merely a physical journey but also an inward journey towards self-realisation and the eternal consciousness of Lord Shiva.
He highlighted the spiritual and historical significance of the shrine in Poonch, saying Maharishi Pulastya had performed penance there and received the blessings of Lord Shiva. He also referred to the sacred Pulast Ganga flowing alongside the shrine and the tradition associated with ‘Pulast Nagari’, now known as Poonch.
“This yatra holds a special place in the hearts of devotees. That is why thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the country gather here every year and undertake the yatra together,” Sinha said.
He said the pilgrimage symbolises “unity in diversity, strength through spirituality and peace through surrender to Lord Shiva”.
Drawing an analogy from the episode of Lord Shiva consuming poison during Samudra Manthan, the Lieutenant Governor said true leadership and devotion lie in bearing hardships for the welfare of others.
He urged pilgrims to imbibe the values of patience, sacrifice and spiritual strength during the yatra.
Sinha also commended the Baba Amarnath and Budha Amarnath Yatri Nyas, along with volunteers of the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, for organising the pilgrimage with devotion and discipline for more than two decades.
“The worship of Lord Shiva permeates the entire cultural and spiritual fabric of India. From Kedarnath in the north to the sacred Rameshwaram in the south, and from Somnath in the west to Tarakeshwar in the east, Lord Shiva embodies the unifying consciousness of our civilisation while binding this vast nation together in harmony amidst its diversity,” he said.
The yatra will commence on Monday morning from Bhagwati Nagar with a flag-off ceremony.
The Lieutenant Governor prayed for the success of the pilgrimage and wished the devotees a safe, smooth and spiritually fulfilling journey.
Swami Dinesh Bharti, VHP organising general secretary Milind Parande, Bajrang Dal national convenor Kishan Prajapat, VHP J&K president Rajesh Gupta, IGP Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, senior officials and prominent citizens were present at the function.
