Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Aug 3: As the rush of Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims has considerably decreased since last few days, 2662 pilgrims performed darshan of naturally formed Ice Lingam in holy cave of Lord Shiva in snow bound Himalayas in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district today from twin tracks of Baltal –Dumel and Nunwan- Chandanwari.
With this, total number of pilgrims performing darshan in the holy cave since the 43 -day long yatra started on June 30 this year has touched 2,86,734. Till yesterday evening, 2,84,072 pilgrims had performed darshan at cave shrine.
According to officials, the weather in entire cave shrine area was pleasant for the day and yatra proceeded smoothly from both the tracks.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 226 pilgrims left for twin base camps of Baltal in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district and Nunwan-Pahalgam in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district under tight security measures in a cavalcade of nine vehicles early this morning from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here.
This is the lowest number of pilgrims leaving for the holy cave from here since the first batch of yatra was flagged off on June 29 this year.
Out of them, 152 pilgrims preferred the longest 48 kilometre traditional Nunwan –Chandanwari track, while 74 pilgrims opted for shortest 14 kilometer Baltal-Dumel route. These pilgrims will leave for holy cave from their respective base camps early tomorrow morning.
The annual yatra will culminate on Shravan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandhan festival on August 11 when holy mace led by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji Maharaj will reach the cave shrine. The holy mace will leave for the cave shrine on August 7 from its abode Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar. After performing Puja and other rituals at cave shrine, the holy mace will return towards Panchtarni in the evening of same day. It will have a night halt at Panchtarni and return to Chandanwari next day.
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