SRINAGAR: Pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas was progressing smoothly as fresh batches left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps early this morning.
So far, over 2.60 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the cave shrine since the commencement of the 40-day-long yatra from June 29 from both the shortest Baltal and traditional Pahalgam tracks, a yatra official said.
Meanwhile, on the 36th day of the 40-day-long yatra yesterday, 813 yatris paid obeisance, he said, adding that 132 yatris, including 13 women, left Bagwati Nagar, Jammu, base camp in five vehicles for Baltal and Pahalgam base camps under tight security arrangements early this morning.
Mahant Deependra Giri said the Chhari Mubarak, the holy silver mace of Lord Shiva, will leave Pahalgam in the afternoon for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on traditional route, on way to the holy cave, where final pujan will be held on August 7, the day when the annual yatra will conclude.
Pilgrimage was going on smoothly as the weather was pleasant though the number of yatris was very less.
Pilgrims, who had night halt at Panjtarni also left for the holy shrine early this morning. About 120 yatris had darshan at the cave shrine since this morning while others are on way to cover the about two km distance on foot.
With this, a total of over 2.60 lakh yatris, including women and sadhus from different parts of the country, has had darshan of the self made ice-shivlingam at the cave shrine so far.
The official said that a fresh batch of yatris also left Baltal base camp for the cave shrine early this morning. The pilgrims are expected to reach the cave shrine, situated at 14,000 feet, in the afternoon after covering 14 km hilly terrain on foot.
Meanwhile, majority pilgrims who took traditional Pahalgam track to reach the cave shrine are also returning via shortest Baltal track. Similarly, fresh batch of pilgrims, who had a night halt at Nunwan Pahalgam base camp, have left for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional track.
Pilgrims, who had night halt at different halting stations on the traditional route, have also started their foot journey towards the cave shrine. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
