Rajouri/Jammu, July 20:  The annual pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Budha Amarnath in the border district of Poonch began today with pilgrims paying obeisance at the cave shrine of lord Shiva in Pir Panchal ranges in Jammu and Kashmir.
 "The annual Budha Amarnath yatra has commenced in Poonch district with pilgrims thronging the cave shrine today", officials said. From Jammu, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand flagged of a batch of 176 pilgrims in a cavalcade of 10 vehicles from Bagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu city.
 The yatra which started today in Poonch, would culminate on August 2, 2012, on the occasion of 'Raksha Bandhan'.
 The 'Chhari Mubarak' would start on July 31 from Shree Dashami Akhara Mandir Poonch towards the himalayan shrine in Mandi Tehsil of Poonch district.
 The yatra would culminate on August 2, 2012, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. About 1.5 lakh pilgrims visited the holy shrine last year. Lauding efforts of Amarnathji Shrine Board and Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Tara Chand said the government along with the boards is committed to provide all required facilities to devotees.
 In Rajouri, a batch of pilgrims was flagged off by Deputy Inspector General of Police for Rajouri-Poonch range. The batch of pilgrims from Jammu was received here by 1008 Mahamandleshwar Swami Shri Vishwatmanand Sarswati Ji Maharaj.
 First batch of Baba Budha Amarnath Yatra reached Rajouri at about 12 noon and comprised of about 539 pilgrims, who were travelling in 14 buses and several other small vehicles.
 Security forces and police have a three tier security grid for protection of pilgrims.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 20 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 20 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 21 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST