SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu for the annual Amarnath Yatra, officially marking the commencement of the 2025 pilgrimage season.
Over 4,500 devotees set off for the sacred cave shrine of Baba Barfani in the initial batch. Amid tight security and festive enthusiasm, the city of Jammu echoed with religious chants as the spiritual journey began.
Extending his best wishes to the pilgrims, the Lieutenant Governor described the Yatra as “a journey of faith and self-discovery.” “Wishing all spiritual seekers a safe and comfortable journey to the holy abode of Lord Shiva and a deep, soul-stirring experience,” he said at the flag-off ceremony.
LG Sinha lauded the joint efforts of the Amarnath Shrine Board, civil administration, Jammu & Kashmir Police, security forces, and the people of the UT for making elaborate arrangements to ensure a smooth and secure Yatra.
“Jammu city has come alive with a new vibrancy. The enthusiasm of pilgrims is very high,” he said, adding, “Undeterred by terror incidents, devotees of Bhole Baba are arriving in huge numbers, demonstrating their immense faith. I hope that this year’s Yatra will be even more historic than previous years.”
The LG was joined by spiritual leaders, heads of religious organisations, public representatives, and senior officials from the civil administration, police, security agencies, and the shrine board. Citizens and hundreds of devotees also participated in the flag-off ceremony.
