2800 pilgrims stranded at Pahalgam, over 6000 at Jammu

* Religious Yatras remain suspended

Avtar Bhat

JAMMU, July 21: All the religious Yatras in Jammu and Kashmir including Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, Shiv Khori Yatra and Machail Mata Yatra remained suspended for third consecutive day today in view of heavy rains, flash floods and cloudbursts.

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In view of the inclement weather forecast by Indian Metrological Department (IMD), the UT administration suspended all Yatras in J&K on Saturday evening. The Amarnath Yatra from twin tracks of Baltal in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir and Nandiwan -Pahalgam in Anantnag district of South Kashmir was suspended on the evening of July 18, besides Yatra to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, Katra, Shiv Khori shrine in Reasi and Machail Mata, Shrine in Kishtwar were also suspended the same day. The pilgrims were asked by the authorities not to move ahead till the official communication in view of IMD forecast.

Though the stranded pilgrims from Panchtarni, the last halting station on Pahalgam track to cave shrine and Baltal Base Camp were allowed to leave for darshan on July 19 and July 20 respectively no Yatri was allowed to leave for holy cave of Shri Amarnath today due to heavy rainfall in Yatra area, officials said.

Officials said Yatra from Jammu to twin base camps of Baltal and Nandiwan -Pahalgam also remained suspended for third consecutive day today. There are about 6000 pilgrims in Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here and adjoining Asha Ram Bapu Ashram. However over 2000 Shri Amarnath Ji bound stranded pilgrims at Jammu left for their home states today in view of continuous rainfall.

Besides, there are 250 Sadhus at Geeta Bhawan Jammu and 200 at Ram Mandir, Purani Mandi here. Various philanthropist organisations have already opened Langars to serve free food to pilgrims.

Officials said 2800 pilgrims are stranded at Nandiwan -Pahalgam in Anantnag district. They are waiting for opening of track to leave for darshan of holy cave.

Officials said almost all the pilgrims stranded at Baltal were allowed to leave for Darshan yesterday but no pilgrim from Nandiwan was allowed to go ahead in view of the inclement weather.

Besides, there are 438 pilgrims at Yatri Niwas Pantha Chowk, Srinagar, 134 at Baltal in Ganderbal district and 458 at Yatri Niwas Chanderkot in Ramban district.

It may be recalled that IMD has made a six day inclement weather forecast in J&K from July 19 to July 24.

Officials said the Mata Vaishno Devi, Shiv Khori and Machail Mata Yatra remained totally suspended however symbolic Chhari Yatra was taken to Sarthal Mata Shrine from Kishtwar today for celebration of the birthday of Goddess tomorrow.

It may be recalled that 3.91 lakh pilgrims visited the holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji in last days 19 days since the Yatra started on July 3.

The 57-day-long Yatra to holy cave of Baba Barfani situated at an altitude of 3888 metres will culminate on Sawan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandhan festival on August 28.