Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Thursday assured topmost security for the Amarnath pilgrims during the Yatra. Shekhwat visited Martand Sun Temple in the Mattan area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district and appealed to pilgrims to preserve the environment and natural beauty of the Kashmir Valley.
“People should come for the Amarnath yatra. The Amarnath yatra is safe; the Government of India and the state government are committed, and you will not get even a scratch,” he told reporters here while he was at the temple.
This year’s Yatra will commence on July 3 and end on August 9, on the eve of Raksha Bandhan.
Shekhawat also visited the nearby tourist resort of Pahalgam, where terrorists struck on April 22, killing 25 tourists and a local pony operator.
“I appeal to the 140 crore people of India to try to see Kashmir’s heritage and its historical grandeur and divinity, along with its natural beauty as well,” he said.
The Union minister's post on X reads, “Visited the majestic Martand Temple, which is a profound reflection of the glory of Kashmir’s civilisational past. Built by the legendary King Lalitaditya, this grand temple dedicated to Surya was one of the earliest and most magnificent sun temples in India.”
“If it looks this awe-inspiring in its weathered form, one can imagine its grandeur of yore given the temple’s scale, sculptural richness, and strategic location atop a plateau overlooking the valley,” he added.
In a separate post expressing gratitude to the J&K Chief Minister, Shekhwat’s other post on X read, “During my visit to Jammu & Kashmir, I was graciously invited for a dinner interaction by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah Ji. In a warm and cordial atmosphere, we held a positive and forward-looking discussion on the development of the tourism sector in J&K.”
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