Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 16: Two more pilgrims died on their way to holy cave taking the death toll in ongoing yatra to 86 while 18,000 pilgrims performed darshan of Swami Amarnath cave shrine at an altitude of 3,888 metres in South Kashmir district of Anantnag today, officials said.
With this the total number of pilgrims visiting the cave shrine since the annual yatra started on June 25 has touched 4, 98,301. Till late last night 4.80 lakh pilgrims have performed darshan in holy cave.
The officials said the rush of pilgrims is continuing and thousands of yatris from different parts of country and abroad are daily reporting at Base Camps of Baltal and Nunwan –Pahalgam for their onwards sojourn to holy cave.
They said a fresh batch of 8,014l yatris left the Nunwan Base Camp for holy cave via traditional Chandanwari track while 5,610 pilgrims left from shortest Baltal track early this morning for darshan of Ice Lingam.
They said besides the yatris who had night haltage at different camps also left for onwards journey this morning. The pilgrims who left via Chandanwari track after a night halt at Sheshnag and Panchtarni will perform darshan tomorrow or the day after tomorrow while those who left via Baltal tack returned after paying obeisance in the cave shrine. Over 4.70 lakh pilgrims have returned to their home States, they added.
The two more pilgrims died today on way to cave shrine. They have been identified as Badri Prasad, 25 resident of MP and Shimatha Navral of Bihar. They died at Rail Pathri and at Sangam top respectively after cardiac arrest. With this the death toll in last 22 days of yatra has gone to 86.
Meanwhile a fresh batch of 2351pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu Yatri Niwas for holy cave early this morning in a cavalcade of 69 vehicles under tight security arrangements. They include 1519 male, 473 female, 61 children and 298 Sadhus.
These pilgrims after a night halt at Baltal and Nunwan Base Camps will leave for holy cave early tomorrow morning.
The 39 day long yatra will culminate on Sawan Purnima falling on August 2 with the taking of holy mace of Lord Shiva to Swami Amarnath Ji by the Mahant of Dashnami Akahra, Deepender Giri Ji Mahraj. The day also coincides with Raksha Bandhan festival.
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