Budha Amarnath Yatra starts

The annual Budha Amarnath Yatra started on Friday with the first batch of pilgrims reaching Poonch, after crossing Rajouri amid tight security arrangements.

As per official details, the first batch of pilgrims reached Sunderbani base camp in the morning hours, where the local populace and officials accorded them a grand welcome. Later, the pilgrims reached Nowshera bridge base camp.

   

In the noon hours, at about 1:30 pm, the maiden batch of pilgrims reached Rajouri, where Swami Vishwatmanand Saraswati lit up the traditional light and declared the pilgrimage open.

People from Rajouri town and nearby villages, Yatra committee and administrative officers accorded a warm welcome to the pilgrims at Rajouri base camp and after a brief halt, the batch of pilgrims moved further. On reaching Bhimber Gali, the local populace again accorded welcome to the pilgrims, who paid obeisance at Mata Kalika Mandir in Dundak, Surankote. From there, the batch moved further and finally reached Poonch base camp.

The local people and administrative officers, including DDC Poonch and SSP, welcomed the pilgrims at the base camp. “After night halt at Poonch base camp, the batch will be flagged off from Poonch town to Budha Amarnath Temple at Poonch Mandi,” an official said.

IGP Jammu Dr SDS Jamwal, DIG RP range DK Slathia, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Mohammad Aijaz Asad and SSP Rajouri Yougal Manhas also interacted with the yatris at Rajouri base camp. 

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