SRINAGAR: Fresh batches of pilgrims left base camps early this morning for the holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir, where so far over 90,000 yatris had paid obeisance since the commencement of the 40-day-long pilgrimage on June 29 from both Baltal and Pahalgam tracks.
The airfare for heli travel to Amarnath cave has been reduced consequent upon the State Government’s decision on June 28, 2017, to withdraw the Service Tax which had been imposed on helicopter services operating in the State with effect from September 2015.
A yatra official said that pilgrims, who had a night halt at Panjterni, paid obeisance at the cave shrine this morning. More pilgrims are on way to the holy shrine, he said.
He said on the seventh day of the pilgrimage, 10,561 yatris paid obeisance at the holy cave yesterday.
He said since the beginning of the pilgrimage, 90,045 yatris had the darshan at the holy cave.
Majority of the pilgrims have returned to their homes after having darshan of the self-made Ice-lingam at the cave shrine.
A fresh batch of pilgrims left towards the cave shrine from shortest Baltal track early this morning. The pilgrims are expected to reach the holy cave by this afternoon, he said, adding that pilgrims, who had a night halt at cave shrine, were also on way back to Baltal base camp.
Majority pilgrims, who prefer Pahalgam traditional route to holy cave are returning via shortest Baltal track, he said.
Fresh batch of pilgrims left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional track. Pilgrims, who had a night halt at Chandanwari and other halting station, have also started their foot journey towards the cave shrine
According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) Umang Narula, the one way air fare for heli-travel on the Neelgrath-Panjtarni Sector stands immediately reduced by Rs 192 and against Rs 1,715 it will be now Rs 1,523 per passenger.
He said on the Pahalgam-Panjtarni sector, the one way fare is reduced by Rs 300 and now it will be Rs 2,650. (agencies)
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