Devotees gathered in large numbers at Saraswati Dham in Jammu on Monday to collect tickets for the Amarnath Yatra, slated to begin on July 3.
Speaking to IANS, many people expressed unwavering faith in India’s security forces and emphasized that fear would not deter them from fulfilling their spiritual aspirations.
Shakshdeep Jha, who arrived from Mumbai with a group of 15 pilgrims, shared his excitement, saying, “I am very happy to be here. We will carry on the Yatra through the Pahalgam route.”
When asked about any apprehensions following the recent Pahalgam attack, he replied firmly, “We do not fear anything. Our forces are there to protect us. As long as we have our forces, we can go anywhere without fear. People should come here in large numbers without any fear.”
Another pilgrim, Deepak Sharma from Uttar Pradesh, spoke of his determination despite the rainy weather. “Even though it’s raining, we are very excited to be here. Right now, we will collect our tickets and proceed for the Yatra through the Pahalgam route,” he said.
He added that the large turnout of pilgrims would send a message of unity and resilience — “a slap in the face of terrorists.”
Maya Kaul, another devotee, echoed similar sentiments. “We are six people and will go through the Pahalgam route. We have full confidence in our forces, and there is no need to be afraid. I urge people to come in large numbers to the Amarnath Yatra.”
Among those standing in long queues amid the heavy rain was a group of 120 people from Bihar.
A devotee from Darbhanga said, “We are so excited to be here. We cannot express our joy. All the arrangements are excellent. We have complete faith in the Indian Army and are confident they will ensure the Yatra proceeds smoothly.”
Kajal Wangmare from Maharashtra said she had been standing in line since 3 a.m. “It’s raining, but we are just happy to be here. We know we will have a memorable pilgrimage and return with happy memories,” she told IANS.
Vikramjeet from Delhi also shared his thoughts, saying, “We are very excited. I also want to send a message to everyone: there is no need to be afraid. The arrangements here are very good, and we are not facing any problems. We believe in our Army, and we are not afraid of anything.”
Meanwhile, security forces on Monday carried out an extensive joint mock drill along the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway as part of the final preparations for the annual Yatra.
The exercise aimed to ensure the safety and readiness of the security forces and civil administration ahead of the pilgrimage. Buses were escorted under full security cover during the drill to test the coordination and preparedness of various security units.
The exercise simulated emergency scenarios such as landslides and other natural disasters, focusing on rapid response, evacuation, and medical aid for stranded pilgrims.
The simulation involved rescuing trapped vehicles, administering immediate first aid to the injured, and coordinating swift relief efforts through integrated disaster response and security teams.
The first batch of pilgrims will be flagged off from the Jammu base camp on July 2. The Yatra will commence the following day via both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes.
—IANS
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