Sadhus descend on Jammu for yatra

Amit Khajuria
Tribune News Service
Jammu, June 26

Religious fervour has gripped the City of Temples ahead of the Amarnath yatra as sadhus (saints) have started arriving in temples and places identified for their boarding and lodging here.

The 46-day yatra, which will start from Jammu on June 30, will officially commence from both Baltal and Pahalgam routes on July 1.

In Jammu, a parallel base camp for sadhus at Ram Mandir in Purani Mandi has been set up by the temple committee.

“Elaborate arrangements have been made at the base camp here for the comfort of the pilgrims. Sadhus, who are an important part of the yatra, are being accommodated at Ram Mandir, Purani Mandi, where they are being provided free-of-cost lodging and food. The government is only providing subsidised ration to the committee,” said Mahant Rameshawar Dass of Ram Mandir.

“Our doors are open for the sadhus and pilgrims. We cannot let them roam in the city for food and accommodation,” he said.

Ram Mandir has a capacity to accommodate around 4,000 sadhus. So far, 500 sadhus have reached and more are expected to come in the next couple of days before the start of the yatra.

The only appeal from the committee to the government is to provide uninterrupted power and water supply during the yatra.

“We are happy to serve the sadhus and we do not need much from the administration. The only appeal is to provide uninterrupted water and power supply at least during the yatra,” Mahant Rameshawar Dass said.

Pilgrimage from July 1

• The 46-day Amarnath yatra will commence from both Baltal and Pahalgam on July 1
• The yatra will conclude on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) on August 15
• So far, 500 sadhus have reached Jammu city and more are expected to come in the next couple of days