SRINAGAR: Pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas was continuing smoothly despite tense situation in the valley, where separatists had called for a strike today.
Meanwhile, a lowest of 132 yatris, including 34 women and some sadhus, left Bagwati Nagar, Jammu base camp in five vehicles for Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps in Kashmir early this morning under unprecedented security arrangements.
Fresh batches of yatris, including women and sadhus, left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps for the holy Amarnath cave shrine, where so far about 2.57 lakh pilgrims had darshan since the commencement of the 40-day-long yatra from June 29.
Weather is cloudy but the pilgrimage is going on smoothly from both traditional Pahalgam and shortest Baltal tracks, a yatra official said.
He said fresh batches of pilgrims, though the number was very low, left base camps at Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam for the cave shrine early this morning.
On the 34th day of the 40-day-long pilgrimage, which commenced from June 29, 819 yatris paid obeisance at the holy cave yesterday.
More pilgrims are arriving at the cave shrine to pay obeisance since early this morning from Panjterni, where they had night halt on traditional track.
About 100 yatris have paid obeisance so far since this morning. With this a total of about 2.57 yatris, including women and sadhus, from different parts of the country had darshan of the self made Ice-Shivlingam at the cave shrine so far.
A fresh batch of yatris also left Baltal base camp for the cave shrine. The pilgrims are expected to reach the cave shrine, situated at 14,000 feet, in the afternoon after covering 14 km hilly terrain on foot.
Meanwhile, majority pilgrims who took traditional Pahalgam track to reach the cave shrine are also returning via shortest Baltal track. Similarly, fresh batch of pilgrims, who had a night halt at Nunwan Pahalgam base camp, have left for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional track. Pilgrims, who had night halt at different halting stations on the traditional route, have also started their foot journey towards the cave shrine. (AGENCIES)
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