Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on June 11 visited the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath to do traditional “pratham puja’’ on the occasion of Jyeshtha Purnima. On this day, the first devotees of Shri Amarnath (called Baba Barfani) are allowed to visit the cave and perform the puja.
Decades ago, this was also the day after which the yatra started on regular basis. However, with the outbreak of terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir, the government was constrained to take over all arrangements pertaining to the yatra to regulate it. Sanitisation of the entire yatra route, area domination of nearby peaks and routes, besides heavy deployment of security forces then became a norm.
Till 1996, the government was mainly responsible for providing security to the yatra. However, a massive snowstorm that year led to the death of over 250 pilgrims in the snowy mountainous region. This led to the setting up of Nitish Sengupta committee which gave a set of recommendations for conducting the yatra. The cornerstone of the yatra arrangements since then has been the Sengupta committee recommendations.
According to the traditional way of conducting the yatra to the shrine, the Jyeshtha Purnima is the day for starting the pilgrimage and it culminates on the Raksha Bandhan day, another purnima (full moon night). The day, Shravan Purnima, will fall on Saturday, August 9, and after that day no devotees are allowed to visit the cave.
Office of #Jammu and #Kashmir LG #ManojSinha tweets, "Har Har Mahadev! Paid my obeisance to #BabaBarfani and performed the '#PrathamPuja' at the #HolyCave, marking the #ceremonial beginning of the annual #ShriAmarnathJi Yatra….." pic.twitter.com/139fWsIYoS
— Lokmat Times Nagpur (@LokmatTimes_ngp) June 11, 2025
After visiting the cave, Sinha wrote: Har Har Mahadev. Paid my obeisance to Baba Barfani and performed the ‘Pratham Puja’ at the Holy Cave, marking the ceremonial beginning of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. May Baba Amarnathji keep showering his divine blessings on all of us. J&K Administration, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, Army, BRO, CAPFs, J&K Police and all stakeholders are working with complete devotion, dedication, collaboration and clear objectives for hassle-free and safe pilgrimage starting from July 3.
He further said: Invaluable contributions of people of J&K, Civil Society & all service providers have always been truly exceptional. I have full faith that significant improvements to facilities & services will ensure this year’s pilgrimage is memorable & spiritually fulfilling for all devotees.
Earlier in the day, Sinha conducted the on-site inspection of the Disaster Management and Yatri Niwas Complex of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board at Baltal axis in Ganderbal. Sinha ascertained the progress of the work being carried out at the site, and directed the officials for timely completion of the infrastructure projects being developed for facilities for pilgrims.
At Domail, Sinha also interacted with the members of the task force and staff of Border Road Organisation (BRO) engaged in improving and maintaining the yatra track. He was accompanied by SJM Gillani, MD J&K Police Housing Corporation, Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to LG and CEO, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board Vijay Kumar Bidhuri and other officers.
On Tuesday, LG Sinha had visited Sonamarg and interacted with the representatives of Sonamarg Market Association, hoteliers, ponywalas and other service providers for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. The members of the delegations put forth various important matters pertaining to the smooth conduct of the forthcoming yatra.
Sinha assured the delegations of due consideration and appropriate redressal of the issues highlighted by them. He also reiterated the commitment of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and J&K administration for the welfare of all the stakeholders associated with the holy pilgrimage.
