Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday extended his greetings to devotees on the start of the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra, calling it a deeply sacred journey that reflects devotion, faith, penance, and the values of Sanatan tradition. In a message posted on X, he conveyed heartfelt wishes to all pilgrims and prayed for their safe, smooth, and successful journey. He expressed hope that the holy pilgrimage would bring divine blessings and enrich devotees with peace, prosperity, good health, spiritual strength, and a spirit of service to society. He also prayed to Lord Shiva for the protection and well-being of all those undertaking the challenging trek.

At the same time, several senior leaders also shared their greetings. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended his best wishes to the pilgrims, praying for the grace of Lord Shiva and wishing that every devotee experiences a safe and fulfilling journey filled with peace, prosperity, and renewed energy. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also greeted the devotees, describing the Yatra as a grand celebration of Sanatan faith and praying for devotees to receive blessings and the divine vision of Baba Barfani.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his wishes, calling the pilgrimage a rare spiritual privilege. He urged devotees to undertake the journey with discipline, devotion, and a sense of responsibility toward the nation. He further encouraged pilgrims to conclude the Yatra by planting a sapling under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative, linking spirituality with environmental awareness.

The 57-day pilgrimage officially began on Friday and is being managed under strict security arrangements. Authorities are using digital surveillance systems and RFID tracking to ensure real-time monitoring, crowd control, and safety of pilgrims throughout the route. The Yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festival of Rakshabandhan.