SRINAGAR : Despite intermittent rain and cloudy weather, yatra was going on smoothly to holy Amarnath cave shrine at 13,500 feet in south Kashmir Himalayas, where over 2.40 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance since the commencement of the 59-day-long pilgrimage from July 2.
Yesterday, second lowest number of 7,255 pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine since the commencement of the annual yatra. However, on July 12, only 1,660 yatris had darshan of the self made Ice-Shivlingam when the Srinagar-Jammu national highway was closed for two days due to landslides, triggered by heavy rain.
A Yatra Control Room (YCR) official told that fresh batches of pilgrims left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps for the holy Cave shrine early this morning.
There was intermittent rain during the night and sky was cloudy today, but both the tracks were safe for undertaking the pilgrimage, he said. However, the weather has started improving as the day progressed.
Fresh batch of pilgrims, including women, sadhus and women left Baltal base camp early this morning, he said, adding that the pilgrims are scheduled to reach the cave shrine this afternoon after covering the 16-km-long track on foot.
Meanwhile, majority of pilgrims who had darshan of the Shivlingam yesterday, have also started their return journey to Baltal base camp this morning.
Pilgrims, including those undertaking the yatra from traditional Pahalgam track, also prefer to return via Baltal route.
He said yatris, including women and sadhus, left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional track. However, those who had night halt at Chandanwari and other halting stations, have also started their onward journey towards cave shrine this morning.
About 2.40 lakh pilgrims, who had come from different parts of the country, including sadhus, had paid obeisance at the cave shrine till last evening. Majority of the pilgrims have since returned to their homes after completing the pilgrimage while others are visiting tourist resort, particularly Gulmarg. (AGENCIES)
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