Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 1: Despite the yatra being suspended from Jammu to holy cave yesterday due to inclement weather and landslides on National Highway, 14, 935 pilgrims drawn from different parts of country paid obeisance at the holy cave of Shri Amarnathji on day three of darshan today.
With this, a total number of 29,182 pilgrims have performed darshan at holy cave during last three days. Meanwhile, the yatra from Jammu to twin base camps of Baltal, Sonamarg and Nunwan Pahalgam was resumed today after the weather improved and 4447 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas for Kashmir valley early this morning,
An official spokesman said over 4,400 pilgrims today left the winter capital for the twin base camps of 3,888 metre high Amarnath cave shrine of Lord Shiva in South Kashmir Himalayas, amid tight security.
The yatra was suspended from Jammu base camp after multiple landslides triggered by heavy rains blocked the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway yesterday.
Amid chanting of “Jai Bholey Nath” and “Bum Bum Bholey”, the pilgrims comprising 3,298 males, 986 females and 193 sages left in a convoy of 142 vehicles for Amarnathji this morning and were escorted by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), a police officer said.
With today’s batch, 9,238 pilgrims and sadhus have left Jammu for Amarnath since the yatra began from Jammu on June 28. Today’s was the third batch of pilgrims.
The rush of Amarnath pilgrims is picking up day by day with thousands of pilgrims daily reaching here from different parts of the country to leave for holy cave. While some yatris prefer to embark on pilgrimage via Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas under tight security, others leave for holy cave in their own vehicles via by pass without entering the Jammu city.
According to official sources, 1655 pilgrims left for holy cave this morning from Nunwan base camp while 3,962 left via Baltal. Besides, 394 pilgrims left via chopper from Pahalgam while 361 returned after darshan at cave shrine through chopper today.
Sources said 1230 pilgrims left via Baltal to holy cave by chopper while 1179 returned after performing darshan today to Baltal. Over 3500 pilgrims are camping at Nunwan Base camp this time while thousands are in hotels and other lodges at Pahalgam. Over 3000 pilgrims are also camping at Baltal base camp, sources added.
Meanwhile, one pilgrim died at Pahalgam due to cardiac arrest today. He was identified as Sham Narayan Tiwari, 34 son of Omparkash Tiwari of Outer Ring Road, Delhi. The Shrine Board tried its best to save him and rushed him to SKIMS, Soura where he breathed his last despite the efforts of doctors to revive him.
With this, the death toll in ongoing yatra has reached to three including an ITBP ASI who died on the first day of yatra.
The Government in view of the increasing terrorist related activities and unrest in Kashmir valley had made elaborate security arrangements for the yatris this time to avert any untoward incident.
The Government has mobilised an additional heavy security blanket of over 30,000 troops including the police, Army, BSF and CRPF as part of the multi-tier security for the pilgrimage.
In addition to the existing strength of the CRPF in Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre has provided over 250 companies (25,000 personnel) of paramilitary forces to the State Government.
The BSF has deployed over 2,000 troops for the yatra, while the Army has provided 5 battalions (about 5,000 personnel) and additional 54 companies (5,400 personnel) of the police have also been mobilised.
The yatra will be eight days shorter this year against last year’s 48 days and conclude on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) on August 7.
Situated in a narrow gorge at the farther end of Lidder Valley, Amarnath shrine stands at 3,888 metres, 46 km from Pahalgam and 14 km from Baltal.
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