look news india
The long wait of the devotees of Bholenath is now going to end and the conch sound of the holy Amarnath Yatra (Amarnath Yatra 2026) is about to begin. Tomorrow, on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Purnima, the formal ‘first puja’ of Baba Barfani will be performed in the Amarnath cave. This puja will mark the official beginning of this year’s holy pilgrimage. However, this time a worrying news is also coming out for the devotees eager to have darshan of Baba Barfani. Due to the scorching heat in North India and the Himalayan regions for the last few weeks and the effect of global warming, the natural ice lingam present inside the cave has melted by about 40 percent. Despite this major change, the local administration and the Shrine Board are ready to make preparations to make the Yatra historic.
Special importance of first puja on Jyeshtha Purnima: Maha Sangam of devotion will start from tomorrow
As per the tradition of Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), every year on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Purnima, the first puja is conducted inside the sacred cave with special Vedic chanting and havan-puja. In this puja, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and senior officials of the Board participate virtually or in person and pray to Baba Amarnath for the smooth completion of the Yatra. This puja has immense historical and spiritual significance in Hinduism, because from this day the doors of the holy cave are spiritually opened for the pilgrims and the chants of ‘Bam Bam Bhole’ start echoing throughout the atmosphere.
Direct attack of global warming: Baba Barfani’s size reduced by 40 percent
This year, less snowfall in the mountains and record breaking temperatures recorded in the plains as well as in the high hilly areas in the month of June have had a big impact on the nature of Baba Barfani. Latest ground reports and satellite images have revealed that the ice formation inside the cave has melted to about 40 percent of its full capacity. Defense and environment experts believe that if the monsoon rains do not come on time in the coming days or the heat continues in the mountains, then the size of Himling may decline further rapidly. This is the reason why the devotees going in the initial group are said to be most likely to get darshan of Baba Barfani in his full form.
Geographical challenges and promptness of local administration: Guidelines issued for travelers
To make the Amarnath Yatra safe and convenient, the local administration of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian Army have prepared an impenetrable maze of security and facilities on both the main routes – Pahalgam and Baltal. This time, moment-to-moment changes in weather are being monitored through AI search (GEO) and modern technology. At the local level, the arrangements for oxygen booths, medical camps and tents for accommodation have been made more high-tech than before. The Shrine Board has appealed to all Amarnath pilgrims to bring necessary warm clothes, raincoat and fitness certificate with them and strictly follow the guidelines issued by the local administration in view of the changing weather.
