In the bustling Bhagwati Nagar area of Jammu, far from the conflict-prone Indo-Pak border and Line of Control (LoC), a soldier stands guard outside Shri Amarnath Yatri Niwas. His presence ensures the safety of the pilgrims arriving for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage.
The atmosphere is lively as pilgrims from all over India gather, chanting religious hymns like "Har Har Mahadev" and "Bum Bum Bole."
Security is tight, with CRPF personnel and Jammu and Kashmir Police officers screening visitors and checking their documents at Yatri Niwas.
Outside, the local markets are busy. E-rickshaws transport pilgrims, and nearby shops cater to their needs.
Manoj Gupta from Rajasthan expressed his deep spiritual devotion, while Deepak from Madhya Pradesh noted how the arrangements for pilgrims have changed this year compared to previous years.
He mentioned that earlier, free Langar accommodations were available in Kashmir, but now the base camps are at Baltal and Pahalgam.
Pardeep Gupta from Lucknow, on his second pilgrimage, said, “I am happy with the overall arrangements made by the administration and the warm hospitality extended by locals in Jammu and Kashmir.”
Anjali Batra, a homemaker from Gwalior, shared that the pilgrimage provided her with peace and spiritual renewal, an annual break from her daily routine.
Simran from Punjab, who joins her family every year for the pilgrimage, appreciated the meticulous arrangements by the authorities and the welcoming nature of the local people.
Overall, the pilgrims praised the efforts of the authorities in organising the pilgrimage. They saw it as not just a religious journey but also a cultural exchange that fosters unity and spiritual enrichment.
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