Jammu: The annual Buddha Amarnath yatra
commenced Tuesday as the first batch of 250 pilgrims left for the Himalayan shrine of Lord Shiva in border district of Poonch.
Escorted by security, 250 pilgrims including 56 women
and 10 children led by Baba Amarnath Niyas president Surinder
Aggrawal left in a cavalcade of vehicles from Jammu base camp
at Bagwati Nagar to Poonch district today.
The pilgrims were flagged off by the Divisional
Commissioner Pawan Kotwal from Yatri Niwas base camp.
Buddha Amarnath shrine of Lord Shiva is located in
picturesque mountainous belt of Mandi area near Indo-Pak
border in Poonch district.
The yatra will conclude on August 13th - the day of Sharvan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan day).
Kotwal said the yatra will give economic boost to the border belt of Rajouri and Poonch as pilgrims from various parts of the country come to Poonch Shrine.
"The yatra is increasing every year. Security measures have been put in place for trouble free yatra," he said.
He said the government is committed to give boost to
pilgrim tourism in the state and efforts are being made to
highlight various pilgrim places in the region.
PTI
