Avtar Bhat
SRINAGAR/JAMMU July 23: Though lowest batch of 706 pilgrims left from Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu base camp to holy cave this morning, 7,097 pilgrims performed darshan of Swami Amarnath today from Baltal and Chandanwari tracks.
According to an official spokesman, 7,097 pilgrims drawn from different parts of the country performed darshan at holy cave till late this evening. With this the total number of pilgrims who performed darshan in cave shrine situated at an altitude of 3880 metres in deep Himalayas in South Kashmir district of Anantnag in last 26 days has reached 3,06,527. Till yesterday, 2,99,430 pilgrims had performed darshan in holy cave, he added.
The spokesman said that the yatra was proceeding smoothly and weather to holy cave from both Baltal and Chandanwri tracks was pleasant.
He said majority of yatris after performing the darshan had returned to their home states while others are on their way. He said the yatris who performed their darshan in cave shrine today have also started their return journey to Baltal base camp and Pahalgam.
Those who returned via Baltal will reach the base camp late in the night while those who returned via Chandanwari track will stay at Panchtarni for the night and start their onwards journey by foot tomorrow morning, he added.
He said 2,963 pilgrims left from Nunwan-Pahalgam base camp to holy cave via traditional Chandanwari track while 4,141 pilgrims left via Baltal base camp from shortest track. Besides, 1,141 pilgrims left by chopper from Baltal to cave shrine while 954 returned from there.
The spokesman said that the pilgrims camping at Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni also started their onwards journey under tight security arrangements this morning.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 706 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp for holy cave under tight security arrangements this morning in a cavalcade of 25 vehicles. They included 550 male, 116 female, 3 children and 37 Sadhus. This was the lowest batch of pilgrims which left for holy cave from Jammu since the first batch of yatra was flagged off on June 27, he added.
He said all the yatris had crossed the Jawahar tunnel by the evening and they were on way to their next destinations in Kashmir Valley where from they will leave for holy cave early tomorrow morning.
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