Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 23: On 23 third day of darshan, 9000 pilgrims paid obeisance of naturally formed Ice Shiv Lingam in 3888 metre high Himalayan cave in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district today.
According to officials, 9002 pilgrims performed darshan from twin tacks of Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam at cave shrine by this evening taking the total number of yatris who visited holy cave since the 62 day pilgrimage started on July 1 to 3,26,900.
Officials said that it was continuously raining during the day in the holy cave area but the inclement weather and downpour failed to dampen the yatris spirits and the yatra plied normally from both the tracks.
Among the 9,002 pilgrims who paid obeisance at cave shrine today included 6,809 male, 2,113 female, 30 children, 31 Sadhus and one Sadhvi. Majority of the pilgrims who visited holy cave during last 23 days have returned to their home States while others are on way. The pilgrims who paid obeisance today at holy cave have also started their return journey to Panchtarni and Baltal, officials said.
They said there is festivity in entire holy cave area and both the tracks have been illuminated by Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) by installing lighting system. This has also ensured the normal plying of yatris during the evening hours without any hassle, officials said.
The pilgrims visiting the holy cave are fully satisfied with the arrangements, cooperation and support rendered by the officials of Shrine Board, UT Government as well as security forces and police. The pilgrims also appreciate the services provided by Langar people and Sewadars who serve the visiting yatris round the clock.
Meanwhile, the 21st batch of 3,691 pilgrims left for twin base camps of Nunwan-Pahalgam in South Kashmir district of Anantnag and Baltal in Central Kashmir district of Ganderbal under tight security arrangements in a cavalcade of 141 vehicles early this morning.
Among them, 2,203 pilgrims preferred the longest and traditional Nunwan-Pahalgam track while 1488 optedd for the shortest but terrain Baltal track.
These yatris included 2,700 male, 874 female, 23 children, 64 Sadhus, 28 Sadhvis and two transgender.
It may be recalled that 36 pilgrims lost their lives during the ongoing yatra to holy cave due to breathlessness and cardiac arrest.
The 62 -day yatra will culminate on Shaavan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandhan festival on August 31 when the holy mace led by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji, its sole custodian, will reach cave shrine for darshan from its abode Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar.
The holy mace prior to its journey to cave shrine will be taken to Shankaracharya temple and Hari Parbhat temple Srinagar by Mahant Ji and Sadhus where puja and other rituals will be performed in a traditional way.
The holy mace enroute to cave shrine will also pay obeisance at Durga Nag temple, Srinagar, Pampore temple, Vijeshwar temple Bijbehara, Nagbal temple, Anantnag, Suriya temple Mattan temple, Ganesh temple at Ganeshpora near Pahalgam before reaching Pahalgam on its way to holy cave.
Caption: Pujaris taking Akhand Jyoti of Amarnath Ji for darshan of pilgrims at holy cave on Sunday.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
