‘Pratham Puja’ held at Amarnath cave shrine
JAMMU: The first prayer (pratham puja), which marks the ceremonial beginning of the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, was held on Tuesday on the occasion of Jyestha Purnima at the holy cave shrine.
The 43-day yatra, which has been opened to the general public this year after a gap of two years, will formally begin on June 30 and culminate on August 11.
Principal secretary to the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) lieutenant governor and chief executive officer of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board Nitishwar Kumar performed the ‘pratham puja’ along with other officials.
The concept of ‘pratham puja’ was introduced by former J&K governor lieutenant general SK Sinha (retd) in 2004.
The officials and priests were flown in for the ceremony in helicopters.
Make use of tech to augment security: DGP
J&K police chief Dilbag Singh also chaired a high-level meeting of senior officers from police, civil administration and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to review the security arrangements. He directed officials to make adequate use of technology, such as CCTVs and drones, to augment security.
Yatra achievement of BJP government: Jitendra
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said, “It is a matter of great courage and in my opinion this is also an achievement (of the BJP government) with regard to J&K that the yatra, which used to take place for 10-10 days and has been suspended several times, is taking place for the full term of around two months.” Given spike in terror attacks and threats issued by terror outfits, the pilgrimage is being seen as a litmus test for the government.