Ganderbal, June 11, 2025: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha performed the ceremonial ‘Pratham Puja’ at the Shri Amarnath Ji Holy Cave on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Purnima, marking the official commencement of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. The 38-day pilgrimage, set to begin on July 3, 2025, and conclude on August 9, 2025, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan, will see devotees from across the nation converge at the sacred cave shrine in the Himalayas to offer prayers to the naturally formed ice Shiva Lingam, revered as Baba Barfani.
LG Sinha urged devotees to participate in large numbers and pray to Lord Mahadev for the progress of Jammu and Kashmir and the nation. “Har Har Mahadev! May Baba Amarnathji keep showering his divine blessings on all of us,” he tweeted, expressing his devotion and inviting pilgrims to join the sacred journey. He emphasized the collaborative efforts of the J&K Administration, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), J&K Police, and other stakeholders in ensuring a seamless and secure pilgrimage.
“With complete devotion, dedication, and collaboration, we have made significant improvements to essential facilities and services to ensure a hassle-free and spiritually fulfilling experience for all devotees,” LG Sinha stated. He lauded the invaluable contributions of the people of J&K, civil society groups, and service providers in facilitating the Yatra.
The Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra will commence simultaneously from two routes: the Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and the Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The SASB, chaired by LG Sinha, has introduced enhanced facilities, including improved lodging, medical services, and disaster management infrastructure at key hubs like Baltal, Nunwan, Sidhra, and Pantha Chowk. Advanced digital services, such as e-KYC and RFID card issuance, have been implemented to streamline registration and enhance pilgrim safety.
Security has been significantly strengthened, with foolproof arrangements by the J&K Police, Army, CRPF, and CAPFs. LG Sinha assured devotees of robust safety measures, particularly following a recent terror attack in Pahalgam. A high-level security review emphasized strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), intelligence sharing, and counter-narcotics measures to ensure a secure pilgrimage.
The Pratham Puja was attended by senior officials, including GoC 15 Corps Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava, DGP J&K Shri Nalin Prabhat, SASB Member Shri KN Rai, SASB CEO and Principal Secretary to LG Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Shri Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, and IGP Kashmir Shri VK Birdi.
Pilgrims can register online via the SASB website (jksasb.nic.in) or offline at over 540 authorized bank branches across India, with a compulsory health certificate and RFID card required for participation. With comprehensive preparations and heightened security, the J&K administration and SASB aim to make the 2025 Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra a memorable and spiritually enriching experience for all devotees.
