KATHUA: Today, the District Administration Kathua extended a warm reception to the Amarnath Yatris at Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu & Kashmir. A large number of enthusiastic pilgrims attended the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.
The Yatris were ceremoniously greeted at the Lakhanpur corridor in Kathua district by DDC Chairman Mahan Singh; DC Rakesh Minhas; Vice Chairman DDC Raghunadan Singh; ADC Ranjit Singh (Yatra Nodal Officer); DC State Taxes Pardeep Manhas (Nodal Officer, Lakhanpur Facilitation Centre); ASP Paramjeet Singh; SDM Hiranagar alongside other District and Sectoral Officers.
Departing at 11:30 AM from Lakhanpur, many devotees who had registered for the pilgrimage were issued RFID tags on the spot, facilitated by 12 specially designated counters. The Yatris who were already registered for Yatra underwent eKYC procedures for RFID tag issuance.
The Deputy Commissioner, while formally welcoming the Yatris, informed them that the district administration has made comprehensive arrangements to ensure a comfortable and safe journey. Dedicated helplines and service counters have been established to provide assistance and relevant information to the pilgrims.
Before departure, the Yatris were treated to captivating cultural performances, including Shiv Tandava and other devotional renditions, presented by troupes from the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in collaboration with District Information Centre Kathua (DIPR Kathua). The performances, resonating with chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’, ‘Jai Baba Barfani’, and ‘Bham Bham Bhole’, filled the atmosphere with spiritual fervor.
District Administration Kathua has endeavored to provide an exhilarating and unforgettable experience for the Amarnath-bound pilgrims this year, with extraordinary efforts put into arrangements.
The Yatris will now proceed from Jammu to the Himalayan cave shrine located in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The 52-day long Shri Amarnathji pilgrimage commences today, June 29 and concludes on August 19.