SRINAGAR : The annual pilgrimage to holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas was going on smoothly though the number of yatris has now started decreasing.
However, the number of yatris, who have visited the cave shrine so far since the commencement of the 45-day-long pilgrimage from June 28, was more than the number of pilgrims during corresponding period last year. A yatra official said pilgrims, including women and sadhus, left Baltal base camp early this morning for the holy Cave shrine as the weather remained pleasant though there is a forecast for light rain and cloudy weather today on yatra track.
The pilgrims are scheduled to reach the cave shrine this afternoon to have darshan of the self made Ice-Lingam at the cave shrine, situated at 12000 feet above sea level. Meanwhile, pilgrims, including those who had reached the cave shrine after tracking 45-km-long traditional Pahalgam track, also started their return journey this morning to Baltal base after paying obeisance yesterday. Yatra official said fresh batch of pilgrims, including sadhus and woman, also left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for the holy cave this morning. Majority of these yatris will have night stay at Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional track, he said, adding that other pilgrims, who had night stay at different other station, also started their foot journey towards cave this morning. However, pilgrims, who had night halt at Panjtarni, have paid obeisance at the cave shrine after tracking five km track this morning.
With this, a total of about 3, 56 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the Holy Cave since the commencement of Yatra. (AGENCIES)
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