Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 3: Though rush of the Amarnath pilgrims this year has been considerably less than the previous year, over 14,000 pilgrims performed darshan in the holy cave on day six of the yatra today.
According to an official spokesman, 14,655 pilgrims performed the darshan of Ice Lingam in holy cave of Swami Amarnath situated at an altitude of 14,000 feet in Lidder Valley in South Kashmir district of Anantnag.
With this, the total number of pilgrims performing darshan at cave shrine in last six days of yatra has reached 78,112.
The spokesman said a fresh batch of 5,410 pilgrims left Nunwan base camp for holy cave via traditional Chandanwari-Sheshnag track under a tight security cover while 5,042 yatris left via shorter Baltal track. In addition to it 1,478 pilgrims left by air.
While some of the pilgrims who left via Baltal track have performed the darshan in holy cave and were all set to return to base camp, others were on their way, the spokesman said, adding the pilgrims who left via Chandanwari track after a night halt at Sheshnag and Panchtarni will perform darshan tomorrow or day after tomorrow.
Spokesman said the track to holy cave was through and weather was cloudy but pleasant.
However the yatris complained lack of medicare facilities at the Nunwan base camp. They alleged that they were not getting the medicines from the Medical aid centre set up by the Directorate of Health Service, Kashmir and they have to approach CRPF medical aid centre for medicines.
Ramesh Kumar Singh, a Yatri from Varanasi (UP) said that the yatris approaching for medicines at Government Allopathic Medical Aid Centre at Nunwan but were told that there were no medicines and for the same the yatris have to approach the CRPF.
The spokesman said that with the construction of new track for pedestrians this year from Brari Marg to holy cave three kilometers distance was shortened. Known as Kali Mata track, it has been thrown open for pedestrian yatris only and it has reduced the distance from Dumel to holy cave from 16 kms to13 kms, spokesman added.
Spokesman said earlier the yatris had to come down from Brari Marg to Sangam and go up again. Now they prefer to walk via new track because it has an easy grade from Brari Marg to holy cave.
In addition to this, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has also developed the Nandi Point near holy cave and enclosed it with proper railing, spokesman said, adding the existing stairs were also widened from six feet to 12 feet the height of raisers was reduced from one feet to six inches for the convenience of yatris. The railing of stairs has been made perfect and given adequate height.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 2,176 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Jammu, base camp in a cavalcade of 67 vehicles for holy cave early this morning under tight security arrangements.
These yatris included 1,655 male, 403 female, 17 children and 101 Sadhus. The cavalcade had crossed the Jawahar Tunnel when last reports came in and were on their way to base camps of Nunwan and Baltal where from they will leave for their onwards sojourn tomorrow morning.
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