Bhumi Pujan of holy mace at Pahalgam today
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 9: Amid tight security arrangements, over 16,700 pilgrims paid obeisance at holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji from twin tracks of Baltal and Nunwan in Pahalgam on the seventh day of pilgrimage today.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
According to officials 16,7 20 pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave situated at the height of 3880 meters in South Kashmir district of Anantnag taking the total number of pilgrims who visited cave shrine in last seven days to 1,28,666.
Officials said these pilgrims included 12,088 males, 3793 females, 189 children, 183 Sadhus, nine Sadhvis and 458 security forces personnel.
Officials said there is lot of enthusiasm among the pilgrims reaching Kashmir from different parts of country and abroad. The jubilant yatris are dancing and chanting ‘Bum Bum Bhole’ enroute to holy cave.
Officials said it rained at holy cave and twin tracks in the evening but the yatra was not disrupted.
The yatris coming from different parts of country and abroad are happy with arrangements made by Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) and UT administration.
Thousands of yatris who stayed at Baltal during last night said they were fully satisfied with the arrangements made by the (SASB) and UT administration. They also gave full credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi whose Government took extra measures in ensuring safe and secure pilgrimage after Pahalgam carnage of April 22.
A Sadhu from MP who left for holy cave from Baltal this morning said “I appeal the people to come in large numbers to have darshan of Lord” Shiva at cave shrine this year. He said there is no threat of any kind as situation is totally normal in Kashmir and Lord Shiva is there to protect us. “Why to be afraid of any threat when Lord Shiva is here to take care of us,” he said.
His views were echoed by a group of female pilgrims who had come from different parts of the country and were on way to cave shrine from Baltal early this morning. They said the facilities are good and Langar people and Sewadars are providing yeoman’s service.
Meanwhile a fresh batch of over 7,500 pilgrims left here early today for the cave shrine of Amarnath in South Kashmir Himalayas amid full security measures, officials said.
The 38-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high shrine commenced on July 3 from the valley via the twin tracks – the traditional 48-km-long Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The yatra will conclude on August 9.
Escorted by CRPF and police personnel, the eighth batch of 7,579 pilgrims, including 5,719 men, 1,577 women and 40 children, left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here in 318 vehicles for the twin base camps in Kashmir between 3.25 am and 3.40 am, the officials said.
The first pilgrim convoy, carrying 3,031 pilgrims in 142 vehicles, left for the Baltal route in Ganderbal district, followed by the second convoy of 4,548 pilgrims in 176 vehicles who are undertaking the yatra via the Pahalgam route, they said.
With this, a total of 55,481 pilgrims have departed from the Jammu base camp for the Valley since July 2 when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch.
A festival-like atmosphere prevailed in Jammu with pilgrims thronging markets, community kitchens and lodging centres.
Meanwhile one person was injured when a car which was part of the Amarnath Yatra convoy, hit a road divider in Udhampur district today, police said.
Four occupants of the car escaped unhurt, they said.
Shashikant was driving the car, which was part of the Amarnath Yatra convoy, when the vehicle skidded off the road and hit the divider on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Narsoo, Chenani tehsil. He has been hospitalised, police said.
They said the four pilgrims travelling in the car were not injured.
It may be recalled that holy mace of Lord Shiva will be taken to Pahalgam from its abode Dashnami Akhara Srinagar for Bhumi Pujan and other religious rituals on the occasion of Vyas Purnima also known as Guru Purnima tomorrow by its sole custodian, Mahant Deependra Giri Ji.
Accompanied by Sadhus and other devotees, the holy mace will enroute perform religious rituals at Sun temple Mattan also and later return to Dashnami Akhara in the evening.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
