Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR/ JAMMU, July 19: On the 21st day of darshan today 6064 pilgrims paid obeisance to the naturally formed Ice Lingam in holy cave of Swami Amarnath Ji situated at an altitude of 3880 metres in deep Himalayas in South Kashmir district of Anantnag.
So far 2,22,619 pilgrims have performed darshan at cave shrine since the 40 day long yatra started on June 28 from Jammu, an official spokesman said.
However there has been a slight reduction in yatra rush during last two days, he said, adding the yatra is plying smoothly on both the tracks.
The spokesman said 3200 pilgrims left for holy cave early this morning from twin base camps of Nunwan, Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal Sonamarg in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir.
He said out of them 1454 left via shortest seven km long Domel track from Baltal base camp while 1806 left from 45 km long traditional Chandanwari track from Nunwan base camp.
The yatris stationed at the halting stations of Sheshnag and Panchtarni also left for holy cave early this morning, he said, adding the majority of pilgrims who performed darshan in holy cave have returned their home states while others are on the way.
Meanwhile the 20th batch of 1,782 pilgrims left Jammu for the Amarnath cave shrine of Lord Shiva in South Kashmir Himalayas today amid tight security.
With today’s batch, a total of 60,283 pilgrims have left Jammu for Amarnath in 16 batches since the yatra began here on June 28.
Escorted by the CRPF and police, the 20th batch comprising 1,278 men, 404 women plus 100 Sadhus left in a convoy of 85 vehicles for Baltal and Pahalgam base camps this morning, officials said.
The Government has mobilised a heavy security blanket of over 35,000 to 40,000 troops, including the police, Army, BSF and CRPF.
This year’s yatra will be eight days shorter than last year’s and will conclude on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) on August 7 when the holy mace of Lord Shiva will reach the cave shrine.
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