SRINAGAR : Fresh batches of pilgrims, including women and sadhus, today left for holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where over 1.89 lakh yatris had paid obeisance since the commencement of the annual 48-day-long pilgrimage from July 2. Meanwhile, a high level meeting reviewed various issues, including security relating to Amarnath yatra, going on since July 2 in south Kashmir Himalayas, an official spokesman said here today.
Over 1000 pilgrims had darshan of the self-made Ice Shivlingam since early this morning at the cave shrine and more pilgrims are arriving there, a yatra official said.
The pilgrims, who had left Jammu during yesterday afternoon, had arrived here safely. He said that fresh batch devotees left Baltal base camp early this morning for the holy Cave shrine and weather was pleasant.
The yatris were likely to reach the cave shrine after covering the hilly terrain on foot this afternoon. Meanwhile pilgrims, who had paid obeisance and stayed at the cave shrine for the night, have also started their return journey. Another batch of worshippers left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional track today.
After night halt at Chandanwari, the pilgrims will start their onward journey towards the cave shrine early in the morning tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the yatris who had night halt at different halting stations on traditional track, have also started their journey this morning.
Total number of pilgrims, who left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for the holy Cave will be known later, he added. The Yatra official said yesterday, 5135 pilgrims, including women and sadhus from different parts of the country, had darshan of the self-made Ice Shivlingam at the cave shrine.
He said with this, a total of 1 .88 lakh yatris had paid obeisance at the shrine since the commencement of the 48-day-long pilgrimage from July 2 from both traditional Pahalgam and shortest Baltal tracks. Majority of the devotees had since returned to their homes, though some of them were visiting tourist places, despite the latest situation in the valley.
Since this morning, over 1000 worshippers had paid obeisance at the cave shrine and more pilgrims were arriving from both sides.
Meanwhile, authorities have made adequate arrangements at the Srinagar International Airport for tourists and Amarnath pilgrims. ”We have pitched up tents, where pilgrims and tourists are being provided meals and other facilities,” an airport official said.
He said tourists and pilgrims are being provided on the spot tickets and those who have tickets for the next days, are staying in the airport. Pilgrims who had returned after darshan of the self-made Ice Shivlingam, said they did not face any problems. ”We stayed in a house boat for two days,” a group of tourists from Rajasthan said.
The Official spokesman said Governor N N Vohra, who is also chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), reviewed various issues relating to the progress of the ongoing Yatra.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary B R Sharma, Director General of Police K Rajendra Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Governor P K TRipathi and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SASB Principal Secretary, Home R K Goyal. In context of the security situation, the DGP briefed the Governor about the enhanced arrangements, which had been put in place for the safety of the Yatris.
The DGP informed the meeting that consequent to the recent law and order incidents, all tourists and pilgrims who had been stranded at the two Yatra Base Camp towns and other places, were being enabled to proceed to Jammu in convoys at night, with adequate security arrangements.
The meeting was further informed that security arrangement at both the Yatra Base Camps, as well as at the various Camps along the Yatra routes, have been further beefed up for ensuring the safety and security of those undertaking the Yatra.
The Governor directed the DGP to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of the pilgrims and instructed the CEO to reiterate advise to the pilgrims to strictly follow the instructions issued by the local authorities and not move away on their own from the secured areas. Mr Vohra directed the Chief Secretary to personally review all existing arrangements for the transportation of Yatris, both in public and private vehicles, and particularly ensure against any over-charging or harassment to the pilgrims.
The Governor took note of the varied requests for help received from the worshippers, who had left in a hurry, leaving their baggage at the Base Camps. He expressed satisfaction over the CEO’s prompt action to have the left behind belongings being sent per Courier to the home town of the pilgrims at the Board’s cost. (agencies)
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