Rijiju takes stock of arrangements at Baltal
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 17: Over 13,000 pilgrims paid obeisance to naturally formed Ice Shivlingam in Himalayan Cave falling in Anantnag district of South Kashmir on the 19th day of pilgrimage today while a fresh batch of 3740 pilgrims drawn from different parts of country left for twin base camps of Nunwan -Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal-Sonamarg in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district in a cavalcade of 127 light and heavy vehicles under tight security arrangements early this morning.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Officials said 13,300 Yatris performed darshan from twin tracks of Baltal and Chandanwari as well as special choppers in holy cave by this evening. They included 8358 male, 2807 females, 117 Sadhus, one Sadhvi and 1805 security personnel and service providers.
With this, a total number of 3,51,523 pilgrims visited holy cave in last 19 days since the 52-day long pilgrimage started on June 29.
Officials said those pilgrims who performed darshan at holy cave today started their return journey to Baltal base camp and Panchtarni haltage camp on way to Pahalgam. They said the weather in Yatra area and holy cave remained partially cloudy during the day.
Officials said the pilgrims who had reached the twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan -Pahalgam yesterday also started their journey towards cave shrine early this morning.
Officials said over 6000 pilgrims reported at Domail after performing darshan at holy cave by this evening.
Officials said that out of 3740 pilgrims who left for twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan early this morning from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here included 2734 male, 952 females, nine children, 39 Sadhus and six Sadhvis.
Among them 1434 preferred the shortest and tough Baltal track while 2305 preferred longest but traditional Chandanwari track. These pilgrims will leave for cave shrine situated at an height of 3888 meters in deep Himalayas from their respective base camps early tomorrow morning.
The 52-day annual pilgrimage will culminate on Shravan Purnima coinciding with Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan falling on August 19 after the holy mace reaches the cave shrine from its abode Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar.
Meanwhile, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju today visited the Baltal base camp and took stock of the arrangements for the on-going Amarnath Yatra in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, officials said.
Rijiju who was on a tour to UT of Ladakh on his return reached Baltal base camp this morning and took stock of arrangements including security, health and other facilities set up for the devotees, who are undertaking the pilgrimage from the shortest route of the Yatra.
A video on the social media account of the Union Minister showed him holding an umbrella on the heights of Baltal taking stock of the situation, including arrangements for the pilgrims.
The Minister was briefed by the officials about the smooth on-going of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra and the facilities available for the pilgrims on the route.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
