Yatra begins from both tracks, 8400 perform darshan on day 1
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 1: The annual Yatra to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji in the Kashmir Himalayas commenced today, from both the Pahalgam and the Baltal routes, with Governor Satya Pal Malik, Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, (SASB) paying obeisance at the Sanctum Sanctorum and participating in the Pratham Pooja ceremony.
He prayed for sustained peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in the State. He was accompanied by Umang Narula, CEO of the Shrine Board.
Governor reviewed the arrangements made for the pilgrims at the Yatra Shrine Camp and conveyed the Shrine Board’s thanks to the State Government, Army, Central Armed Police Forces, State Police and all the other concerned agencies for their support and cooperation. He stressed the need for effective supervision and round the clock monitoring by the Camp Directors and all the functionaries involved in the management of the Yatra for ensuring smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
Governor lauded the people of Kashmir for making this annual pilgrimage a successful event ever since it is being observed. Appreciating the valuable support of local people in conduct of this Yatra, he described their role in this Yatra as a true essence of Kashmiriyat which is exemplary for its communal harmony.
Meanwhile, Umang Narula, CEO of the Shrine Board, has once again appealed to the intending Shri Amarnathji Yatris to embark on the pilgrimage only after getting medically checked and obtaining a valid Yatra Permit. This would ensure against any avoidable inconvenience to them. Narula further appealed the Yatris to bring with them adequate woolen clothing, Jackets, warm inners, woolen socks, gloves, woolen cap, trousers, muffler, sleeping bag, wind cheater, rain coat, water proof trekking shoes, umbrellas in view of harsh terrain where temperature abruptly falls to 2- 5 degree Celsius in the Yatra area.
On the first day of darshan, 8403 pilgrims paid obeisance at holy cave by this evening.
As per reports 6,884 pilgrims left from shortest 14 km Baltal track while 3,065 left via traditional 30 km long Pahalgam-Chandanwari track for the holy cave early this morning.
The yatris were flagged off at both base camps by senior officers.
Meanwhile, the second batch of 4,417 pilgrims including 3,543 male, 843 female and 31 children left in a cavalcade of 142 vehicles from Bhagwati Nagar Base Yatri Niwas, here for the twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam under tight security measures.
They had reached to their respective base camps when last reports came in. These pilgrims will leave for darshan of self made Ice Lingam in holy cave situated at an altitude of 3,880 metres in deep Himalayas in South Kashmir district of Anantnag early tomorrow morning.
The 46 -day long yatra will culminate on August 15 the day coinciding with Sawan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals. The authorities have made elaborate arrangements for this years yatra and the pilgrims have been provided multi tier security enroute to holy cave right from Lakhanpur the gate way of J&K.
Tight security measures have been made at Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas and CRPF bunkers have been installed right from Fourth Tawi bridge to Yatri Niwas and beyond that at different places to man the area and to avert any untoward incident.
The rush of yatris has increased and a large number of pilgrims from different parts of country are reaching daily Jammu since last three days. The yatris are in upbeat mood and satisfied with the arrangements made by the authorities for them.
Hundreds of yatris were seen at Sarswati and Vaishnavi Dham where the authorities had opened two current registration counters. The Yatris said that they have not faced any problem in registration as the officials were fully cooperating with them.
The yatris also don’t feel any threat and said that they have surrendered every thing to Bholey Nath who is their savior. Pushp Kumar a pilgrim from Banaras UP who is visiting holy cave for 6th time said that he does not see any problem. “I am leading a group of ten pilgrims and we are waiting for registration here and after completing formalities we will leave for darshan on July 3 happily because Bholey Nath is our savior and we have surrendered to him”.
“The people of State are cooperative and every time I visited the holy cave I received all cooperation from people and authorities including security forces”, he added.
Same were the views of Manju and her husband Rakesh from Pathankot, Punjab. The couple had come for registration and after filling up the formalities they were asked to come on July 3. “We will return to Parthankot and come on July 3 for registration”, they said, adding they don’t face any problem”.
Rakesh said he is visiting for the fifth time to holy cave while his wife is going for darshan for the first time.
Meanwhile as per reports 7,652 pilgrims crossed the Lakhanpur for Jammu during last three days. Out of them 1546 crossed the Lakhanpur today itself.
One VDC, SPO posted on Amarnath security duty at Logate Morh in Kathua succumbed to his injuries on way to GMC Jammu. He was identified as Subash Singh, 54, son of Darshan Chand of Banja Bhatwal, Bani. He was posted on yatra duty at National Highway at Logate Morh. He had gone to take water today while on duty and was hit by a motorcycle. He received grievous injuries and died on way to GMC Jammu.
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