SRINAGAR : A fresh batch of 57 pilgrims left Baltal base camp enroute to the 3,880 metre high holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas as the annual 59-day pilgrimage is scheduled to end tomorrow coinciding with the Hindu festival of ‘Rakshabandhan’.
Over 3.52 lakh pilgrims visited the cave shrine, housing the naturally formed ice-shivlingam, during this year’s yatra which began on July 2 from the twin routes of Pahalgam in Anantnag district of south Kashmir and Baltal in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir.
However, no pilgrim was present at the Pahalgam base camp along the traditional 45-km track to the cave today, Yatra Control Room official told UNI.
He said ‘Chhari-Mubarak’, the holy silver Mace of Lord Shiva, also left Sheshnag after a night halt this morning and will reach Panjtarni before leaving for the cave for final puja tomorrow.
The holy mace, being carried by its custodian Mahant Deepindra Giri, left its abode here on August 25 and is scheduled to spend the night at Panjtarni halting station. It will be taken to the cave tomorrow morning, marking the official conclusion of the yatra.
The spokesperson said 324 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the cave shrine yesterday, taking the number of pilgrims who performed the yatra this year to 3,52,160. (UNI)
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