Jammu, Aug 16 (PTI) Amid tight security arrangements, the annual pilgrimage to the Himalayan shrine of Budha Amarnath in Poonch district will begin on Monday, with LG Manoj Sinha scheduled to flag off the first batch of pilgrims from Jammu.
Security has been further tightened ahead of the yatra, with forces deployed along Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch highway amid operations at several places from Jammu to Poonch via Rajouri district as part of the security arrangements, officials said.
Sinha, who participated in the inaugural function of the pilgrimage ahead of its commencement, will flag off a convoy of devotees from Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu at 6.30 am on August 17, they said.
The security has been beefed up up in and around the base camp, they said.
In Poonch, the Special Operations Group (SOG) carried out searches at Dashnami Akhara Temple and Shankar Nagar, checking houses and collecting details of residents and tenants.
People have been advised not to provide shelter to strangers and to immediately report any suspicious movement or activity to the police by calling emergency helpline 112, officials said.
Elaborate arrangements have been made to facilitate the movement and reception of pilgrims in Rajouri, they said.
According to officials, arrangements have also been made to welcome the pilgrims upon their arrival in Nowshera, which will be the first stop after yatra’s commencement. “A langar has been established at Rajal along the Jammu-Poonch National Highway to provide food and other facilities to devotees undertaking the pilgrimage,” they said.
The Budha Amarnath shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in the Mandi area of Poonch district and attracts devotees from different parts of the country during the annual yatra.
The 12-day annual Budha Amarnath yatra will conclude on August 28, coinciding with Rakshabandhan.
The ancient shrine is located in the Loran Valley along the Pulsata river, about 4,600 feet above sea level, at a distance of approximately 290 km from Jammu. PTI AB PRK
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