Sonamarg, Jul 01 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Chaudhary on Tuesday visited the holy Amarnath Cave to offer prayers ahead of the commencement of the annual Shri Amarnathji Yatra—2025. He also chaired a high-level review meeting in Sonamarg to assess the final preparations for the Yatra, which begins officially on July 3.
Speaking to the media persons after paying obeisance at the holy cave, Chaudhary described the Yatra as more than just a religious journey. “This Yatra is a festival that showcases the unity, harmony and shared spiritual heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. Its beauty lies in the fact that the base camp is in Jammu while the sacred shrine is in Kashmir, which is a true reflection of the brotherhood of our region,” he said.
The Deputy CM commended the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for its significant contribution in improving the Baltal-to-Holy Cave track. “I personally inspected the route and was pleased with the work done by BRO. Despite the limited working season in Kashmir, the quality and pace of development are commendable,” he added.
Chaudhary emphasized the coordinated efforts of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and the Union Territory administration, stating that departments like PDD, Jal Shakti, and Rural Development are working tirelessly to ensure a smooth and safe Yatra for all devotees. “We pray that this yatra after the Baisaran attack will be a grand success and appeal to the devotees to feel the hospitality of people here and push for the revival of tourism in Kashmir, which witnessed a slump after the Pahalgam attack,” he said.
“Jammu and Kashmir is known globally for its warmth and hospitality. These are values passed down from our elders, and it is our collective responsibility to uphold and preserve this legacy,” he noted.
He also said that the artisans should be encouraged by providing stalls to them en route to the
In a strong political statement during his visit, Deputy CM Chaudhary reiterated, “Statehood leke rahenge, chheen ke rahenge. Bilkul nahi rukenge.” (We will reclaim statehood, even if we have to fight for it. We will not stop.)
Notably, the annual Amarnath Yatra is all set to commence on July 3 and will continue till August 19, with thousands of pilgrims from across India expected to undertake the holy pilgrimage—(KNO)