RAMBAN/JAMMU, May 4: Braving intense heat, rugged mountain roads and physical exhaustion, four young devotees from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are carrying out an extraordinary spiritual pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath cave shrine through a continuous ‘dandavat pranam’ journey.
The pilgrims are travelling entirely by performing full-body prostrations, a difficult religious practice in which devotees repeatedly lie flat on the ground and move forward inch by inch as a mark of devotion. Their mission, which has already continued for more than nine months, has drawn attention across several regions of North India.
The group includes Jatinder Rajput, Rohit Ray and Nayain Jain from Madhya Pradesh, along with Amit Rajput from Uttar Pradesh. While the three youths from Madhya Pradesh began their journey on September 3, 2025, Amit Rajput had commenced the pilgrimage earlier on July 23, 2025.
Currently passing through the mountainous stretches of Ramban district along the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, the devotees are steadily advancing toward the sacred Amarnath cave situated at an altitude of nearly 3,880 metres in the Himalayas of South Kashmir. The shrine houses the naturally formed ice Shivling, revered by millions of devotees as Baba Barfani.
“We started this yatra with deep faith and a desire to seek blessings from Baba Barfani. This was a dream we had cherished for years,” Amit Rajput said while continuing the arduous pilgrimage.
Unlike ordinary pilgrims who travel by foot or vehicles, the four youths progress solely through repeated prostrations, stopping occasionally for rest. The demanding routine has tested their endurance on a daily basis.
“For months, our life has revolved around lying flat on the ground, getting up again, and moving ahead little by little,” said Rohit Ray.
Carrying only essential items such as blankets, water and limited food supplies on a bicycle, the pilgrims have endured changing weather conditions ranging from scorching temperatures in the plains to the freezing winds of the Himalayan region. Despite the severe physical challenges, the group continues its journey with unwavering determination, chanting devotional slogans in praise of Lord Shiva for motivation.
The annual Amarnath Yatra this year is scheduled to begin on July 3 through the traditional 48-kilometre Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district as well as the shorter 14-kilometre Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The pilgrimage will conclude on August 28 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
The youths said their mission is not limited to religious devotion alone. According to them, the journey also seeks to spread awareness about Sanatan Dharma and promote social unity across communities.
“Every religion teaches peace and mutual respect. People who spread hatred in the name of religion fail to understand its true meaning,” the pilgrims said, recalling their interactions with people from different regions and communities during the long journey.
As they continue moving through the difficult terrain of Ramban toward Kashmir, their tired faces and weathered appearance reflect the hardships they have endured. Yet their determination, spiritual commitment and message of communal harmony have transformed the pilgrimage into an inspiring example of faith, endurance and unity.