Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 23: On the 25th day of pilgrimage, nearly 9000 yatris paid obeisance to naturally formed Ice Lingam in holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji by this evening while a fresh batch of 2484 yatris drawn from different parts of country left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here early this morning for twin base camps of Nunwan-Pahalgam in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district and Baltal-Sonamarg in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district in a cavalcade of 99 heavy and light vehicles.
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Officials said that on the 25th day of darshan at Himalayan cave 8991 pilgrims paid obeisance to Ice Shivlingam from twin tracks of Baltal and Chandanwari besides the special chopper services.
With this a total number of 4,17,509 visited the cave shrine situated at an altitude of 3888 meters in deep Himalayas in Kashmir’s Anantnag district in last 25 days since the 52 day long annual Yatra started from twin tacks on June 29.
Officials said 6806 pilgrims were having night stay at Panchtarni. They added that among the 8991 pilgrims who paid obeisance today included 5413 males, 1889 females, 139 children, 131 Sadhus, four Sadhvis and 1415 service providers and jawans of security forces.
Officials said that the yatris who performed darshan at holy cave today started their return journey towards Baltal base Camp and Panchtarni haltage camp. While the yatris who returned via Baltal track will reach the base camp during the late night those who left via Panchtarni will reach Nunwan-Pahalgam after a gap of two days.
Officials said that the majority of pilgrims who performed darshan at cave shrine during last 25 days have returned to their home states while others are on the way. They said thousands of pilgrims are camping at Baltal and Nunwan Base camps.
Officials said that the pilgrims who reported at twin base camps yesterday left for their onwards sojourn to cave shrine early this morning. While those pilgrims who left via Baltal track performed darshan at holy cave by the evening and those from Chandanwari track will reach cave shrine after three days by staying for one night each at Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni camps.
Officials said among the 2484 pilgrims who left for holy cave from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas this morning included 1886 male, 536 female, three children, 50 Sadhus and Nine Sadhvis. Out of them 770 preferred the shortest and terrain Baltal track while 1714 preferred the traditional and longest Pahalgam- Chandanwari track.
All of these pilgrims have reached their respective base camps by this evening wherefrom they will leave for holy cave early tomorrow morning.
Officials said the Yatra is going smoothly and 52 day pilgrimage will culminate as per age old tradition on Sawan Purnima falling on August 19.
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