Buddha Amarnath Yatra to commence from Aug 17 in Poonch hills

JAMMU: The annual pilgrimage to holy shrine of Buddha Amarnath in Mandi hills of the border district of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir will commence from August 17 this year.

"The annual Buddha Amarnath yatra will commence from August 17 from Jammu. The first batch of pilgrims will leave for Poonch on the same day," Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, Nisar Ahmed Wani said today.

"Chhari Mubarak", the holy mace of Lord Shiva, will be taken from Shree Dashami Akhara Mandir Poonch towards Himalayan shrine in Mandi Tehsil of Poonch district.

Convening a meeting of district officers, trustees of Buddha Amarnath Shrine, prominent citizens, representatives of various religious organisations and social activists, Wani reviewed arrangements for the forthcoming yatra and directed the officials to ensure that all necessary arrangements are made well in time for the smooth conduct of the ten-day long event.

Apart from making foolproof security arrangements, issues pertaining to availability of essentials including rice, atta, sugar and LPG cylinders besides medicare facilities, sanitation, accommodation, power supply and drinking water facilities were discussed threadbare.

The deputy commissioner directed the officers to make elaborate arrangements for reception of the pilgrims, security, accommodation and traffic regulation for smooth movement of the yatris.

He also instructed the Municipal Council Executive Officer to maintain cleanliness in and around the places where yatris will stay.

The fire and emergency department was directed to put in place fire tenders at all the halting stations en route to the holy shrine. Besides, health authorities were asked to set up medical camp near shrine besides keeping standby ambulances at strategic locations.

Wani also asked the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) authorities to expedite resurfacing the roads maintained by it.

It was decided in the meeting that under the overall supervision of the deputy commissioner, a committee of officers and prominent citizens will be constituted to coordinate and facilitate smooth conduct of yatra.