Poonch, Aug 19 (JKNS): The historic border district of Poonch once again witnessed a remarkable display of faith, brotherhood and communal harmony as devotees from different parts of the country participated in the 2026 Buddha Amarnath Yatra to seek blessings at the revered Mandi Buddha Amarnath Ji shrine.
Welcoming the pilgrims, Taranpreet Singh, representing the Sikh community, extended a heartfelt message of goodwill and brotherhood to all devotees undertaking the sacred journey. He said that the Buddha Amarnath Yatra is not merely a religious pilgrimage but also a powerful symbol of the centuries-old tradition of peace, coexistence and communal harmony for which Poonch has been known.
The annual Yatra attracts devotees from different states of the country, who travel to Poonch with deep faith and devotion to pay obeisance at the historic shrine of Baba Buddha Amarnath Ji. For the people of Poonch, the arrival of the pilgrims is equally significant as it provides an opportunity to demonstrate the region’s unique tradition of welcoming guests irrespective of their religion, language or place of origin.
The streets and important points of the town come alive with enthusiasm as people from different communities gather to welcome the visiting pilgrims. Hindu, Sikh and Muslim residents participate in the welcoming arrangements, often holding flower garlands and extending greetings to the Jathas as they enter the town.
This tradition reflects the distinctive social fabric of Poonch, where communal harmony is not merely spoken about but is regularly demonstrated through people’s participation in each other’s religious and cultural occasions.
The daily batches, or Jathas, of pilgrims arriving at the College Ground provide a particularly moving picture of this unity. As devotees reach the town, residents from different communities come forward to welcome them with warmth and affection. The gathering effectively becomes a living representation of Poonch’s diverse cultural heritage—a bouquet of different faiths bound together by mutual respect and brotherhood.
Taranpreet Singh said that the sight of people from different communities standing together to welcome the pilgrims conveys a message that goes far beyond the boundaries of Poonch.
He emphasized that the region’s history has always carried a strong message of peaceful coexistence and that such traditions should be preserved and passed on to younger generations. According to him, religious diversity should be regarded as a source of strength rather than division.
The warm reception extended to the pilgrims also reinforces the broader message that Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural identity is deeply rooted in coexistence and mutual respect. The Buddha Amarnath Yatra, therefore, becomes not only a spiritual journey but also an occasion through which the values of unity and brotherhood are showcased before visitors from across India.
For the pilgrims, the experience of Poonch becomes an important part of their journey. Along with spiritual blessings from the sacred shrine, they carry with them memories of being welcomed by people belonging to different communities.
The scenes of Hindu, Sikh and Muslim residents coming together with flower garlands, greetings and open hearts offer a powerful message of “unity in diversity.”
The 2026 Buddha Amarnath Yatra thus continues to strengthen the bond between faith and fraternity, highlighting the enduring spirit of Poonch—a land where different communities have historically shared their joys, festivals and traditions.
As the pilgrims proceed on their sacred journey, they leave Poonch with more than memories of a religious pilgrimage. They carry with them a timeless message of peace, brotherhood, communal harmony and togetherness, reminding the country that India’s greatest strength lies in its diversity and the ability of its people to respect and celebrate one another’s faiths. (JKNS)
