Amarnath Yatra 2025 begins: L-G flags off first batch of pilgrims

July 2, 2025 by News Desk

The annual Amarnath Yatra officially began on Wednesday as Jammu Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp in Jammu.

Wishing the devotees a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey, L-G Sinha said the pilgrimage to the sacred cave shrine of Lord Shiva is an opportunity for spiritual awakening and peace. “I prayed to Baba Amarnath for peace and blessings to all,” he said.

This year’s Yatra comes in the shadow of a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley, where 26 people, mostly tourists, lost their lives in a targeted attack.

Despite the recent violence, Sinha remained resolute. “The eyes of the world are on this Yatra. No threat can dampen the spirit of the devotees heading to the sacred cave,” he said on Tuesday during the ‘Tawi Aarti’ held at Jammu’s riverfront.

He described this year’s Yatra as particularly special, calling it a step towards restoring the ancient glory of Jammu Kashmir. “The responsibility of Jammu Kashmir is not just an administrative duty for me—it’s a chance to rebuild and revive the region’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage,” Sinha said.

He added, “I have tried to recreate the grandeur of this holy land, like that of a sacred temple, and to restore the image it once held.”

The administration has emphasized its commitment to ensuring a secure and smooth Yatra, which attracts thousands of pilgrims each year to the cave shrine nestled in the Himalayas of south Kashmir.