UDHAMPUR: Defying odds and driven by unshakable devotion, 21-year-old devotee Harnam Prasad from Uttar Pradesh has embarked on an extraordinary 7,000-km Kanwar Yatra from Madhya Pradesh to the sacred Amarnath cave shrine in Kashmir for the first time, saying faith has driven out fear among every pilgrim undertaking the pilgrimage.

The 38-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre shrine commenced on July 3 from the valley via the twin tracks - the traditional 48-km-long Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The yatra will conclude on August 9.

The number of pilgrims who have paid obeisance at the cave shrine has crossed one lakh.

On the 105th day of his spiritual odyssey, Prasad, supported by his three friends, reached Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir, carrying holy water in a Kanwar from Gawri Ghat in Jabalpur to offer at the revered Nundeshwar Mahadev at the Amarnath cave shrine.

Carrying water in four pitchers on his shoulders along with Bajrangbali flags, Prasad claims this is his first Kanwar Yatra to the Himalayan cave shrine, traditionally known for the ice 'lingam' of Lord Shiva.

"I have walked over 6,700 kilometres in 105 days and have reached Udhampur today. The journey has been nothing short of divine. I feel no fear, only faith. Baba Barfani's energy has protected me and made the journey comfortable and fulfilling," Prasad said.

His yatra also includes a visit to Rameshwar Jyotirling.

Asserting that fear and terror are forgotten words during the journey to Bholenath, he said faith has driven out fear from every pilgrim on the yatra to the cave shrine. "The rush of pilgrims is a befitting reply to those terrorists who engineered the cowardly attack in Pahalgam," he said.

Expressing deep gratitude for the arrangements made by the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory (UT) administration, Prasad praised the hospitality of locals and the security provided along the route. "From Lakhanpur, the entry point to Jammu and Kashmir, the arrangements are excellent. The atmosphere is peaceful.

"The Army, police and the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) have ensured safety. I urge devotees not to be afraid and come for Baba's darshan," he said.

Prasad added that he is walking in devotion to 'Gaumata' (mother cow) and Lord Shiva, and that it is the spiritual call of Mahadev that has brought him this far. "Kashmir is the land of Shiva and Shakti," he said, describing the yatra as a divine and historic journey.

He also referred to the recent Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 Hindu pilgrims in Pahalgam. "That attack was a cowardly act. But now, the yatra is fully protected and the environment is conducive for pilgrimage," he said.

With community kitchens and lodging centres offering generous support, Prasad said he is overwhelmed by the love and encouragement he has received along the way. "People come forward to offer food and shelter. It's a divine feeling to be part of this sacred journey to Bholenath," he added.

The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage by Shiva devotees, known as Kanwarias or Bhole, who collect holy Ganga water from places like Haridwar, Gaumukh, Gangotri in Uttarakhand and Ajgaibinath temple in Sultanganj (Bihar). They carry it on foot for hundreds of miles to offer it at local Shiva shrines or key temples like Pura Mahadeva (Baghpat), Augharnath (Meerut), Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi) and Baidyanath (Deoghar).

Like him, Shubham Kumar of Jammu city is also on a solo pilgrimage on foot to the Amarnath cave shrine. He reached Chenani from Jammu on his onward journey to offer prayers at the naturally formed ice lingam. He is also carrying a social message for the country's youth - a call for a drug-free society.

"I am on a pilgrimage, walking from Jammu to visit Baba Amarnath Ji. I have set out with just one message - that the youth of today, who have gone astray and fallen into addiction, need to turn away from it," he said.

Kumar further added that he is undertaking this journey for the young people who have fallen to addiction, to urge them to stay away from drugs, leave addiction behind, move toward Baba or take up some good cause. "There is nothing to be found in addiction. I have set out with two aims -- to stay away from addiction and to plant my flag at Baba's holy shrine," he said.

A woman pilgrim from the Philippines also shared her positive experience of the ongoing yatra, appreciating the security and facilities extended by the authorities.

"I wished to undertake the yatra to Amarnath. It was my dream.

"But there was fear following the terror attack in Pahalgam. Now, there is no fear or terror here. Everything is peaceful and secure. My wish will be fulfilled," she said.