By Pravin Kumar
Despite the lingering shadow of fear cast by the recent Pahalgam terror attack, a wave of devotion and resilience is sweeping through Jammu as thousands of pilgrims from across India converge at the Bhagwati Nagar base camp, brimming with spiritual fervor to embark on the sacred Amarnath Yatra.
The 38-day pilgrimage, set to commence on July 3 via the 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the shorter, steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal, has drawn devotees who view their journey as both a spiritual quest and a tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam attack.
Bullets and bombs cannot stop us from having Baba Barfani’s darshan,” said Mumbai resident Devakar Kadam, who will embark on his 11th pilgrimage to the cave shrine this time. We are very enthusiastic. Our group of 26 members is extremely happy, and we want to be part of the first batch to have the darshan of Amarnath ji. We have no fear.
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To ensure incident-free yatra, elaborate security arrangements have been made on ground zero. The entire route from Jammu to the cave has been brought under CCTV surveillance, with a three-tier security blanket across all base camps. For the first time, a Facial Recognition Systems (FRS) have been installed at strategic locations on both routes. Additionally, the routes passing through the Kashmir Valley have been declared “no-fly zones” from July 1 to August 10, banning the use of drones and UAVs to enhance security.
Congratulating the Shrine Board authorities for making elaborate arrangements, Jatinder Kumar, a 50-year-old pilgrim from Uttar Pradesh, exuded confidence as he moved toward the base camp. “Hum Bhole ke bhakt hain, Bhole ne bulaya hai, kuchh nahi hoga (We are devotees of Lord Shiva, He has called us, nothing will happen to us),” he declared, his voice steady with conviction. Jatinder, whose journey to Jammu was smooth, remains optimistic about a safe pilgrimage and return.
Echoing similar sentiments, Hari Prasad, a 43-year-old from Varanasi, preparing for his second Amarnath Yatra, radiated enthusiasm. “This is a divine call. My faith is unshaken,” he said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation as he readied himself for the trek.
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Yet, not all pilgrims are untouched by fear. Vivek Singh, a 38-year-old businessman from Etawah, embarking on his first Yatra, admitted to a sense of unease. “There’s fear among some of us. Twenty of our colleagues canceled their plans after the Pahalgam attack,” he revealed, his tone tinged with caution.
Singh also pointed out logistical challenges, expressing frustration over the chaotic arrangements at the Saraswati Dham token distribution center near Jammu Railway Station. “We waited in line for six hours in this scorching heat and humidity, urging authorities to streamline facilities for pilgrims.
In contrast, 16-year-old Sheetal from Madhya Pradesh, a Class 11 student on her first Amarnath pilgrimage, radiated youthful optimism. Accompanied by her parents, she drew comfort from the heavy security presence. “I’ve only been to Jammu once before, for Mata Vaishno Devi. This time, I see so many men in uniform with big guns. I feel safe,” she said with a bright smile, her excitement undimmed by the challenges.
On Monday, the administration operationalized the token distribution center at Saraswati Dham, a critical step for offline registration. Manu Hansa, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Jammu South, outlined the process: “Tokens are being distributed for both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes. Pilgrims can register at three centers—Vaishnavi Dham, Panchayat Bhawan, and Mahajan Sabha—starting tomorrow.”
The daily quota is capped at 2,000 tokens, with counters open from 7 a.m. until exhausted.The pilgrimage will commence from two routes: the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam track in Anantnag and the shorter 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal.
The first batch of pilgrims will depart from Bhagwati Nagar on July 2, following a successful dry run of the convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, led by Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Inspector General of Police Bhim Sen Tuti.
Deputy Commissioner Jammu Sachin Kumar reassured devotees, saying, “We’ve made elaborate arrangements for a comfortable and secure pilgrimage. People should come in large numbers.” Yet, for many pilgrims, the journey is as much about faith as it is about overcoming fear and logistical hurdles, their hearts set on the divine embrace of the Ice Lingam in the Himalayas.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, during his visit to the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal on Monday, reviewed the on-ground preparations and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements. “After meeting with senior officers of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) and security agencies, I can confidently say that this year’s arrangements are far superior to previous years. The coordination among security agencies is seamless, and they are on high alert,” Sinha told reporters.
