Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 6: With 18,994 pilgrims performing darshan in holy cave on day nine today, the Amarnath yatra has crossed the one lakh mark since the 45 day long pilgrimage started on June 28.
According to an official spokesman, 18,994 pilgrims performed darshan in cave shrine today from both Baltal and Pahalgam tracks. With this, the total number of pilgrims paying obeisance to Icy Lingam so far has touched 1,12,143.
He said two pilgrims died on way to holy cave today. They were identified as K Renuka of APJS Anandnagar Channi and 61 year old J Arumnjam of M R Nagar Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Renuka died near holy cave after performing darshan while Arumnjam died at Brari Marg. With this the death toll in ongoing yatra has mounted 11, spokesman added.
Both the dead bodies have been kept at Sonamarg Hospital and after completion of the formalities they will be handed over to their relatives for last rites, spokesman said.
He said out of 1,12,000 pilgrims who performed darshan in cave shrine, 90,000 pilgrims have returned to the summer capital. Up to 4 pm 7,685 pilgrims had reported at Baltal after performing darshan at cave shrine, he added.
The spokesman said that the rush of pilgrims is picking up day by day and there has been over 100 percent increase in yatris rush after the Pahalgam track was opened for darshan on July 2.
Meanwhile, Minister of Horticulture, Culture, Housing, and Youth Services & Sports, Raman Bhalla today visited Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam and took stock of the facilities and arrangements for yatris.
The Minister interacted with yatris and enquired about the arrangements made at the camp. The yatris expressed their satisfaction over the arrangements. The Minister was accompanied by the senior officers of district administration, Anantnag and police, besides officers on yatra duties.
Meanwhile a fresh batch of 2160 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas for the holy cave which included 1533 male, 433 female and 145 Sadhus. They left in a cavalcade of 61 vehicles under tight security early this morning.
All the yatris have reached their respective base camps at Pahalgam in South Kashmir district of Anantnag and Manigam in Central Kashmir district of Ganderbal till last reports came in.
As announced yesterday Baba Amarnath & Buda Amarnath Yatri Niyas today started free bus service for Amarnath yatris from Jammu to Pahalgam and Pahalgam to Jammu. The Niyas has decided to start more buses in future also. On the occasion puja was performed by Mahant Maha Mandleswar, Rameshwar Dass Ji who was assisted by Karan Singh Charak a member of the Niyas. The bus was flagged off by Shakeel Beigh DIG Jammu and Kathua Range, Ajit Khajuria president Khajuria Biradri and president of Niyas, Surinder Aggarwal were also present on the occasion. Mr Aggarwal reiterated his demand and urged Shrine Board to open more registration counters.
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