Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 23: Though 26 days are still to go in 48 day long Amarnath yatra which started on July 2, the number of the pilgrims visiting the cave shrine is declining day by day as on the 22nd day of darshan today only 2,943 pilgrims paid their obeisance to naturally formed Ice Lingam.
With this the total number of pilgrims paying obeisance in the cave shrine situated at an altitude of 13000 feet in South Kashmir district of Anantnag has touched 1,99,325.
According to sources, there is no hustle and bustle as usual at base camps on yatra track as used to be during the first and second week of pilgrimage due to the sudden decline in yatra rush following the Valley unrest.
According to an official spokesman 1,162 pilgrims left Chandanwari for holy cave today by foot while 37 left by chopper. Out of them 615 left from Nunwan base camp. He said 191 pilgrims returned after darshan by foot via Chandanwari track today. Besides, 97 returned by chopper.
The spokesman said 1,375 pilgrims left from Baltal to holy cave for darshan today. He said 2000 pilgrims were camping at Baltal Base Camp by this evening and authorities have decided to arrange their transportation to Jammu tonight.
Meanwhile a fresh batch of 1096 pilgrims left the Jammu Yatri Niwas for holy cave this afternoon under tight security arrangements in a cavalcade of 32 vehicles.
All these vehicles had reached near Jawahar Tunnel when last reports came in and were on their way to twin base camps.
Meanwhile the weather at holy cave and on the two tracks was sunny during the entire day today.
As per weather forecast till tomorrow morning, there is possibility of light rain thunder showers towards Banihal- Pahalgam-holy cave and Banihal- Baltal track.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
