Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 10: On the 10th day of darshan today at holy cave of Swami Amarnath Ji situated at a height of 3880 meters from sea level in deep Himalayas in South Kashmir district of Anantnag, over 9,000 pilgrims paid obeisance to naturally formed ice Lingam in holy cave today.
Officials said that 9307 pilgrims drawn from different parts of the country paid obeisance at holy cave from twin tracks of Baltal and Chandanwari. Till date, 1,30,503 pilgrims have paid obeisance at holy cave since the 46 day long yatra started on July 1.
The yatra is proceeding smoothly form both the tracks and the majority of pilgrims who paid obeisance at holy cave during last nine days have returned to their home states while others are on their way, officials added.
Officials said that weather enroute to holy cave remained cloudy during the day and it was drizzling for some time at Baltal but later the rain stopped. However, there was no disturbance in the movement of yatra and it plied smoothly.
A fresh batch of 5,073 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas for the holy cave early this morning under tight security arrangements in a cavalcade of 188 vehicles. The yatra proceeded smoothly and till last reports came in all yatris had reached their respective base camps by the evening where from they will leave for holy cave early tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile the unabated rush of yatris continues and hundreds of pilgrims are daily seen waiting in large queues in front of registration counters at Jammu. Officials said over 3,000 pilgrims are staying at different places in the city while over 2000 have managed their entry in Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas and others were on the way.
Reports reaching here said that 2,618 pilgrims crossed the gateway of Lakhanpur towards Jammu in 164 vehicles during last 24 hours while more than that has come via train.
The Government has made elaborate security and other arrangements for the Amarnath yatris right from Lakhanpur to holy cave. Besides, various philanthropist organizations have installed free langars for pilgrims from Lakhanpur to holy cave.
The free langars have also been installed by the social and religious organizations at Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, Geeta Bhawan, Ram Mandir Purani Mandi, Jammu and other places.
The 46 day -long Swami Amarnath Yatra will culminate on Sawan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandhan festival falling on August 15 when the holy mace of Lord Shiva to be carried by Mahant Deependra Giri Mahant of holy mace reaches cave shrine from its abode Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar.
The holy mace will leave for its annual sojourn from Srinagar on Nag Panchmi falling on August 5 and after performing darshan at cave shrine on August 15 it will start its return journey on the same day towards Pahalgam.
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