Jammu, 15 June (H.S.): With the annual 57-day Amarnath Yatra set to commence on July 3, several sadhus and spiritual seekers have begun arriving and staying at the Ram Mandir in the old city, a major transit centre before they embark on the pilgrimage.

Weeks before the official start of the yatra, the temple has been witnessing a steady influx of ascetics who spend their time in prayer, religious discourse, and service while preparing for the trek to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas.

Hymns reverberate in the air and chants of “Bam Bam Bhole invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva at the temple.

A Sadhu from Ayodhya, said he arrived one and a half months before the pilgrimage to serve fellow saints staying at the temple. I serve the saints and devotees of God, and I also help manage all the kitchen and food service activities, he told said.

Dass, who has been trekking the Amarnath Yatra since 2014, said serving saints and pilgrims at the Ram Mandir brings him immense joy. He suffered paralysis last year.

I prayed to Mahadev, 'Please grant me one last opportunity to have your darshan.' Despite doctors advising against it, I completed the pilgrimage and served at several community kitchens, he said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar