Srinagar/Jammu, June 11, 2025 — Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday paid obeisance to Baba Barfani and performed the traditional ‘pratham puja’ at the sacred Amarnath cave, officially launching preparations for the upcoming annual Amarnath Yatra.
In a message shared on social media platform X, Sinha wrote, “Har Har Mahadev! Paid my obeisance to Baba Barfani and performed the ‘pratham puja’ at the holy cave, marking the ceremonial beginning of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. May Baba Amarnathji keep showering his divine blessings on all of us.”
The yatra, which draws lakhs of pilgrims annually to the 3,888-metre-high Himalayan cave shrine of Lord Shiva, is scheduled to be held from July 3 to August 9 this year.
Sinha appealed to devotees across the country to participate in large numbers. “I would request all devotees of Baba Barfani to visit in large numbers for the holy yatra and pray to Mahadev for the progress of Jammu and Kashmir and the nation,” he said, adding that improved pilgrim facilities and robust security arrangements have been made.
“The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) and the administration have enhanced the facilities for pilgrims. Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army, CRPF and paramilitary forces have made foolproof security arrangements,” the LG said.
In Jammu, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) performed an inaugural puja on the banks of the Tawi River earlier in the day to mark Jyeshtha Purnima, considered auspicious ahead of the yatra.
Meanwhile, Udhampur SSP Amod Ashok Nagpure chaired a high-level security meeting on Tuesday to assess operational readiness. Discussions covered intelligence coordination, medical and emergency response, traffic regulation, and logistics.
Special attention was given to anti-narcotics operations, with SSP Nagpure instructing teams to launch proactive drives against drug networks in vulnerable areas along the yatra route.
The Amarnath Yatra is one of Hinduism’s most revered pilgrimages, held annually during the Shravan month, and managed under the aegis of the SASB in coordination with civil and security agencies. The holy cave houses a naturally formed ice Shivling, attracting spiritual seekers and pilgrims from across India.
