Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 26: Over 8000 pilgrims drawn from different parts of country performed darshan at holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji on 28th day of pilgrimage today while a fresh batch of 2566 pilgrims left for twin base camps of Nunwan-Pahalgam in South Kashmir district of Anantnag and Baltal-Ganderbal in Central Kashmir from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here early this morning under tight security measures in a cavalcade of 84 light and heavy motor vehicles.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Officials said a 28th batch of 8781 pilgrims paid obeisance to naturally formed Ice Shivligam in holy cave situated at an height of 3888 meters in deep Himalayas of South Kashmir from twin tracks of Baltal and Chandanwari besides special choppers.
Officials said among the 8781 pilgrims who performed darshan today included 5385 males, 1937 females, 117 children, 113 Sadhus and 1193 service providers and security forces personnel.
Officials said with this a total number of 4,44,340 pilgrims have visited the Himalayan cave shrine since the 52-day-long yatra started on June 29.
Officials said that majority of the pilgrims among them have returned to their respective home States while others are on the way.
The yatris who performed darshan today also returned towards the Baltal Base Camp and Panchtarni haltage camp by the evening.
Officials said that the pilgrims who had reported at twin base camps of Nunwan and Baltal yesterday also left for cave shrine early this morning.
Officials said among the 2566 pilgrims who left for twin base camps from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here early this morning included 1877 males, 577 females, 12 children, 95 Sadhus and five Sadhvis.
Among them, 885 preferred the shortest and toughest Baltal- Sonamarg track while 2566 opted for the traditional and longest Nunwan-Chandanwari-track.
All these pilgrims have reached their respective base camps by this evening wherefrom they will leave for cave shrine early tomorrow morning.
The 52 -day long pilgrimage to Himalayan cave will culminate on Shravan Purnima coinciding with Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan falling on August 19 when holy mace of Lord Shiva will be taken to cave shrine from its abode Dashnami Akhara Srinagar by its sole custodian Mahant Deependra Giri Ji accompanied by Sadhus and devotees.
The holy mace after day long Puja at cave shrine will return to Panchtarni the last haltage point on Nunwan -Pahalgam track on the same day evening.
After a night halt at Panchtarni, it will proceed towards Pahalgam next day.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
