With the annual Amarnath pilgrimage set to begin on July 3, sadhus have started arriving in Jammu, often called the “city of temples.” This 32-day pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine in the South Kashmir Himalayas will commence from two routes: the traditional 48 km Nunwan-Pahalgam route and the shorter, steeper 14 km Baltal route.
A day before the pilgrimage officially starts, on July 2, the first group of pilgrims will depart from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar base camp and Ram Mandir for the Kashmir Valley. The Amarnath shrine is famous for its naturally formed ice Shivlingam, and last year, over 5.10 lakh pilgrims visited the 3,880-meter-high site.
Preparations and Pilgrim Arrivals
Mahant Rameshwar Dass, the head of the Ram Mandir complex in Jammu’s Purani Mandi area, confirmed that sadhus are steadily arriving. “Scores have reached our temple complex, which is one of the boarding and lodging centres for the Sadhus,” he stated. Over 200 sadhus from various parts of India have already gathered at the Ram Mandir, filling the air with chants in praise of Lord Shiva.
The temple authorities have made extensive preparations for the pilgrims. “All necessary arrangements, including round-the-clock free community kitchen service, lodging, and medical facilities, are in place for the Sadhus here. We wish for a trouble-free yatra,” Dass said. He also mentioned that his complex has a long-standing tradition of serving sadhus year-round.
Devotion and Expectations
Local communities in Jammu and Kashmir are upholding their age-old tradition of welcoming pilgrims to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience. The Ram Mandir, with support from government departments, is also providing various facilities, including on-the-spot registration for the yatra. Dass praised the Lieutenant Governor and the administration for their efforts in setting up excellent facilities. “We expect a rush of pilgrims to Amarnath this year too,” he added.
Amidst enthusiastic chants of “Bam Bam Bhole” and “Jai Jai Baba Barfani,” sadhus and sadhvis are eagerly awaiting the pilgrimage’s start. Ram Baba, a sadhu from Uttarakhand, is a seasoned pilgrim, embarking on his 25th Amarnath Yatra this year. “We have been coming for the yatra for the past 24 years. This is our 25th year. We are waiting for the day the yatra starts, as we want to have early darshan of Barfani Baba,” he shared. Ram Baba also mentioned that he walked for six days from his home temple with his group of Naths. “I start my year with this yatra by seeking the blessing of the Ice Lingam,” he said.
Another sadhu from Odisha expressed his confidence in completing the challenging journey, even with a belt tied around his back to manage pain.
