Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, July 7: The annual Shri Amarnath yatra is progressing smoothly day by day as on the Day 9 of darshan today, 10,461 pilgrims paid obeisance at holy cave situated in deep Himalayas in South Kashmir’s district of Anantnag at an altitude of 3880 meters.
According to official spokesman a total number of 1,15,841 pilgrims performed darshan at cave shrine since the 40 day long annual Amarnath yatra started on June 29.
He said 4627 pilgrims left for holy cave from Base Camp of Baltal, Sonamarg via shortest 14 km long Dumel track while 5200 pilgrims left for holy cave via 45 km long traditional Chandanwari -Sheshnag route from Nunwan Pahalgam base camp today.
He said the yatra is picking up daily and the pilgrims are in high spirits . The weather enroute to holy cave was pleasant during the day also.
The yatris stationed at Sheshnag and Panchtarni also started their onwards journey to holy cave today, he said, adding the majority of pilgrims who had performed darshan at cave shrine during last nine days have returned to their homes while others are on their way.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 2246 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Jammu Yatri Niwas for holy cave early this morning under tight security arrangements. They included 1748 male, 401 female, 85 male Sadhus and 12 female Sadhus who left in a cavalcade of 75 vehicles.
All the vehicles had crossed the Jawahar Tunnel by the afternoon and they had reached to their respective base camps when last reports came in. These pilgrims will leave for holy cave from the twin base camps of Nunwan and Baltal early tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, there is huge rush of pilgrims at Pahalgam, Baltal as well as registration counters of Jammu with thousands of pilgrims reaching these places daily from different parts of country to leave for darshan of Ice Lingam.
The 40 day long yatra will culminate on Shravan Purnima falling on August 7. On the day the holy Mace of Lord Shiva will also reach cave shrine. It will be taken from Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar by Mahant Dependra Giri Ji Maharaj who is the custodian of Chhari Mubarak along with other Sadhus to cave shrine after performing pooja at different shrines enroute.
Meanwhile, Governor N N Vohra, Chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), has directed Umang Narula, CEO of the Board, to see that all the 38 Amarnathji pilgrims from Telangana, about a dozen of whom were injured in an incident when a gas cylinder exploded in their bus at Veesu-Mir Bazar, on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway, when they were returning home after paying homage at the holy cave Shrine, shall be sent by air to Delhi for their onward journey home, in Telangana and the Shrine Board will bear the entire expenses on this account.
While expressing grief over the unfortunate incident which led to the death of one pilgrim, the Governor conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family and issued instructions to CEO to provide relief of Rs 3 lakh in favour of the next of kin of the deceased and also make all required arrangements for the mortal remains of the Yatri to be sent by air, to the airport nearest to his home town.
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