Pahalgam track yatris stopped at Chanderkot
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 19: As the inclement weather and heavy downpour failed to dampen the spirits of Amarnath Ji pilgrims, on the 19th day of yatra over 17,000 pilgrims paid obeisance to naturally formed Ice Lingam of Lord Shiva in Himalayan cave in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district today.
Officials said 17,223 pilgrims performed darshan at 3888 metre high holy cave from twin tracks of Baltal and Nunwan-Pahalgam by this evening taking the total number of pilgrims who visited the cave shrine in last 19 days to 2,84,732. The yatris are totally delighted in visiting the holy cave and the inclement weather coupled with heavy downpour and flash floods failed to dampen their spirits as thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the country are daily reaching the holy cave to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva, they added.
Among the yatris who performed darshan at holy cave today included 12,722 male, 13579 female, 539 children, 380 Sadhus and three Sadhvis, officials said.
They said 23,208 pilgrims were camping at Baltal base camp during last night and 15,371 left for their home States from there in the morning. Besides, 3,686 pilgrims were camping at Sheshnag last night and 8,133 pilgrims were staying at Panchtarni, the last transit camp on way to holy cave via Pahalgam, Nunwan track during the night.
Officials said the weather in entire yatra area was overcast with clouds for the day and it rained for some time late in the evening. However, yatra plied without any disturbance during the entire day, they added.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 4920 pilgrims left for twin base camps of Nunwan –Pahalgam in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district and Baltal in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here early this morning under tight security arrangements in a cavalcade of 188 vehicles.
Among them, 2566 pilgrims preferred the longest and traditional Nunwan-Pahalgam track, while 2354 opted for the shortest Baltal route. They included 3355 male, 1451 female, 29 children, 81 Sadhus and four Sadhvis.
The yatris of Baltal track were allowed to leave for Kashmir valley but those of Nunwan -Pahalgam route were stopped at Chanderkot Yatri Niwas in Ramban district for a night halt due to landslides on National Highway. These pilgrims will be allowed to leave for Nunwan base camp early tomorrow morning.
Officials said the delighted yatris were enjoying in rain with full fervor at Chanderkot Yatri Niwas, chanting ‘Bhum Bhum Bhole’ and ‘Baba Barfani Ki Jai’.
Officials said that thousands of pilgrims also reached here from other parts of the country today and the Yatri Niwas Bhagwati Nagar is full to its capacity while thousands of pilgrims are staying outside in community halls and lodges.
The 62-day long annual Amarnath pilgrimage which started on July 1 will culminate on Shravan Purnima which coincides with Raksha Bandhan festival falling on August 31, the day when holy mace of Lord Shiva led by its sole custodian, Mahant Dipendra Giri Ji Maharaj will reach Himalayan Cave from its abode Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar.
Prior to its final journey to holy cave Chhari Pujan will be performed at Mata Sharika Bhagwati temple, Hari Parbat Srinagar and Shankaracharya temple, Srinagar by Mahant Ji and Sadhus.
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