Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 16: Notwithstanding the claims of Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh and Governor, N N Vohra, who is also Chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) of making adequate arrangements for the pilgrims, the same have been totally exposed as unhygienic conditions prevailed in tents and hutments at Sheshnag where heaps of filth and garbage are lying scattered every where especially in front of residential huts emitting foul smell and the pilgrims are left with no alternative but pass the nights in this filthy atmosphere .
The Excelsior team which visited the yatra base camp of Nunwan Pahalgam, transit camps of Chandanwari and Sheshnag were surprised to see the condition in which the yatris are staying at Sheshnag for night as heaps of garbage and filth are lying scattered everywhere.
The yatris, while talking to the Excelsior team revealed the ordeal to which they are subjected. A pilgrim Suresh Kumar from Delhi, while taking serious exception to the failure of the Government and Board in making proper arrangements, said that they (pilgrims) come from far off places of the country with a faith and it is unfortunate that no attention is being paid to keep the camp sites enroute neat and clean by maintaining hygienic conditions there.
Not only the heaps of garbage mostly consisting of filth and waste in polythene bags are lying in the Lidder nullah coming out of holy Sheshnag lake but also in front of tents and hutments constructed for the pilgrims at this transit camp.
The condition of the hutments is not also good as the yatris on way to holy cave who have stayed for the night at Sheshnag said that there is nothing worth cleanliness and filth and garbage is lying every where.
Anil Behl from Gujarat said the pilgrims who come here for darshan from different parts of the country are left with no alternative but to pass the night in unhygienic conditions. The yatris were also forced to sit in a room of the hut which has capacity for sheltering 10 persons but 20 to 25 pilgrims have to pass the night there. Moreover, the bedding given to them by the Board officials is also emitting foul smell.
Safai Karamcharis have been engaged but there is no cleanliness in the area. One hut is in damaged condition though lakhs of rupees are being spent for their repairs annually and instead of covering it with oxidized tin the roof has been covered with polythene and in case of a hailstorm the entire polythene will get damaged and the yatris had to rush to other huts for safety and shelter which are already over crowded.
The yatris said thousands of pilgrims visit here daily and the Government and Board should take initiative to maintain good hygienic conditions.
Meanwhile , announcing this year’s programme of Chhari –Mubarak of Swami Amarnath Ji, Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of holy mace of Swami Amarnath said that as per the age-old tradition, rituals like ‘Bhoomi-Pujan’, ‘Navgrah Pujan’ and ‘Dhawajarohan’ connected with commencement of annual Chhari-Mubarak will be performed at Pahalgam on auspicious occasion of ‘Ashad-Purnima’ (Vyas-Purnima) falling on July 27.
As per the schedule announced by Mahant Ji, Chhari-Mubarak will be taken to historic Shankracharya Temple on August 11 and Sharika Bhawani Temple on August 12 before rituals are performed for Chhari-Sthapana at Shri Amareshwar Temple Dashnami Akhara Srinagar on Monday, August 13.
After performing Chhari-Pujan at Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar on the occasion of ‘Nag-Panchami’ on August 15, Mahant Deependra Giri will carry the holy mace to cave shrine of Swami Amarnath Ji to have ‘Darshan’ on ‘Shravan-Purnima’, falling on August 26 after having night halts at Pahalgam on August 20 and 21, Chandanwari on August 22, Sheshnag on August 23 and Panchtarani on August 24 and 25respectively.
In a communication sent to the State Government, Mahant Deependra Giri has urged the State Government to make all the necessary arrangements and take the appropriate preventive measures for the safety and security of the Sadhus & pilgrims accompanying holy mace.
Mahant Ji has also advised Sadhus and members of civil society who intend to join cavalcade of holy mace to get themselves registered and stated that only registered pilgrims with valid yatra permit having start date of August 23 from Chandanwari route will be allowed to accompany Chhari-Mubarak during the pilgrimage.
Mahadev Giri Dashnami Akhara Trust, Srinagar has made all the arrangements like yester years for Sadhus coming from across the country for annual pilgrimage of Swami Amarnath Ji for their food and comfortable stay at Akhara Building, Budshah Chowk, Srinagar, Mahant Ji said.
Meanwhile, on 19th day of two -month long pilgrimage of Swami Amarnath Ji 1,0067 pilgrims paid obeisance at holy cave situated in deep Himalayas in Lidder Valley today. Till date 1,97, 422 yatris had performed darshan of Ice Lingam in holy cave since the two month long yatra started on June 28 an officer on yatra duty said.
He said about 6000 pilgrims left for holy cave from twin base camps of Nunwan-Pahalgam via traditional Chandanwari track and Baltal Base Camp via shortest track to holy cave. Out of them, 3,110 pilgrims left by foot via Baltal track while 1018 left by chopper.
Besides, over 2000 pilgrims left from Nunwan –Pahalgam base camp towards holy cave. He said the pilgrims staying at transit camps of Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panjtarni also left for their onwards sojourn.
The officer said that over 11,000 pilgrims were staying at Baltal base camp for last night and among them 6026 left for Sriangar this morning on way to their home states.
He said weather remained cloudy during the day and it also rained for some time. However, the yatra proceeded smoothly.
A fresh batch of 2455 pilgrims left from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here for holy cave early this morning under tight security measures for twin base camps of Nunwan-Pahalgam and Baltal. According to Yatra Nodal Officer Jammu, Arun Manhas the yatris will proceed from their respective base camps to holy cave next morning .
He said 1802 yatris were registered at three registration counters at Jammu today and about 3000 yatris are camping at different lodges, community halls and Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here.
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