LG expresses gratitude to stakeholders
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 31: With Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra resuming from the Baltal axis on Thursday, a day after it was suspended due to heavy rains from both Baltal and Nunwan tracks, over 8200 pilgrims drawn from different parts of country paid obeisance at Himalayan cave situated at the height of 3880 meters in South Kashmir district of Anantnag by this evening.
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Officials said that 8276 pilgrims paid obeisance at cave shrine in the holy cave today after yatra was resumed from Baltal axis this morning.
With this, a total number of 4,01,677 pilgrims have performed darshan in the cave shrine during last 29 days since the yatra commenced from twin tracks of Baltal and Nunwan-Pahalgam on July 3, officials said.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders involved in the arrangement of holy Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra after it crossed the figure of four lakh darshans today.
The Lieutenant Governor in post on X said: “Baba Amarnath makes the impossible, possible. With his blessings, the holy Yatra today crossed the figure of four Lakh. I bow to Lord Shiva for this miracle and express my gratitude to everyone involved in making the holy pilgrimage a divine experience for devotees”.
“The record number of darshans and arrival of devotees from across the country and the globe is a testament to India’s unity and its resolve to overcome the challenges. I am truly thankful to the devotees, who have shown immense faith and strengthened our priceless spiritual heritage,” Sinha said.
He said “This godly expedition is incomparable not because it is arduous and challenging but because it is an inimitable journey into pure bliss. It’s a spiritual experience and gives an opportunity to devotees to know themselves and offers deep trust and fills their hearts with infinite gratitude”.
Among 8276 pilgrims who paid obeisance at holy cave today were 6296 males, 1082 females, 58 childrens, 55 Sadhus, three Sadhvis, two transgenders and 780 security personnel.
These pilgrims after performing darshan started their return journey towards Domail and Panchtarni.
Officials said the yatra remained suspended from the Pahalgam axis as urgent maintenance and repair works have to be carried out on the route.
Torrential rains in Kashmir had rendered the roads unsafe, following which the pilgrimage was suspended on both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes on Wednesday.
“The yatra resumed this morning from the Baltal route,” said an official, adding, “In view of maintenance works required to be carried out on the Pahalgam axis of Amarnath Yatra route following the recent rains, the yatra shall continue only through Baltal axis.”
The official said that no convoy movement was allowed towards the Baltal and Nunwan base camps from Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on Thursday. The authorities said that Yatra from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas to Kashmir will remain suspended tomorrow also.
The annual yatra that began on July 3 will culminate on August 9, the day coinciding with Sawan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals when holy mace of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati led by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji and accompanied by Sadhus and other devotees will reach holy cave from its abode Dashnami Akhara Srinagar.
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