The pilgrimage to Shri Baba Buddha Amarnath in the Loran valley of Poonch district commenced on Wednesday and will culminate on the 19th of this month on Savan Purnima coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan. The first batch of Baba Budha Amarnath Yatra left Jammu from the Bhagwati Nagar-based Yatri Niwas amid tight security arrangements for the Poonch district to pay obeisance at the temple. Nearly 700 Pilgrims from mainly Karnataka, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have come for the pilgrimage.
All arrangements are in place for the devotees and heavy rush is expected likewise every year at the Shri Buddha Amarnath Temple in Mandi area of Poonch district. Surrounded by Loran Valley, Baba Buddha Amarnath is situated in the bordering Poonch district and is 290 km from Jammu located 4600 feet above sea level alongside the river Pulasti.
The Budha Amarnath Temple dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva in Rajpura village in Poonch is among the oldest shrines in the Jammu region, drawing large numbers of devotees. It is said that Pulast Rishi, the grandfather of the King Ravan of Lanka had worshipped at this place for thousands of years.
As per the belief, the yatra of Baba Amarnath in Anantnag, Kashmir is believed to be incomplete without visiting Baba Buddha Amarnath.
Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar flagged off a convoy of 14 vehicles carrying the pilgrims. Additional Director General of Police, Jammu, Anand Jain and leaders of Bajrang Dal, VHP were also present during the flagging off ceremony at the Bhagwati Nagar base camp.
