The 12-day-long annual Shri Buddha Amarnath Yatra to the ancient Baba Budha Amarnath Temple in Rajpura village of Mandi Tehsil in Poonch district commences today amid tight security arrangements.
The Yatra will continue until August 28 and will culminate on Raksha Bandhan. Authorities have enforced strict multi-tier security and surveillance across Rajouri, Poonch, and transit routes. The Hindu pilgrimage is held annually during the auspicious monsoon month of Shravan to the ancient Baba Budha Amarnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Rajpura village in Mandi Tehsil of Poonch district.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today flagged off the first batch of the Yatris from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu toward the border district of Poonch in the morning under tight security arrangements. Strict multi-tier security and surveillance have been enforced along the transit routes across the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch with the units of Special Operations Group of J&K Police conducting search and verification operations near lodging sites like Dashnami Akhara.
The convoys of the devotees will move under police escort, with additional Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployed. Traffic Police issued a strict advisory with mandatory cut-off times for registered pilgrim convoys travelling along the Jammu-Poonch route from today to August 28. District administration and local bodies have finalised arrangements, including waterproof tents, community kitchen (Langar) locations, parking layouts, and health care stations along the pilgrimage route. Langars and reception counters have been set up at vital transit locations like Sunderbani, Nowshera, and Rajal in Rajouri district.
The Poonch district administration has launched a dedicated portal to facilitate advance registration for the pilgrims coming from across the country. The journey traditionally commences from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu, taking the pilgrims about 230 km northwest into the mountainous terrain of Poonch where the Budha Amarnath shrine sits 4 thousand 600 feet above the sea level and features a self-manifested white stone Shivling. Devotees traditionally bathe in the nearby holy Pulastya River (named after Rishi Pulastya) before entering the temple for prayers.
Many believe completing this yatra adds profound completeness to a devotee’s broader pilgrimage path to the higher-altitude Amarnath Cave shrine. For assistance, pilgrims may contact Traffic Control Unit (TCU) Jammu at 0191-2467302, TCU Srinagar at 0194-2479871, or email igtraffic@jkpolice.gov.in.
