Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 30: On day 33rd of yatra today, 2,864 pilgrims performed darshan at cave shrine of Swami Amarnath in South Kashmir district of Anantnag today.
With this the total pilgrims paying obeisance in last 33 days of Shivlingam at holy cave has touched 3, 53,059 since the 44 day long yatra started on June 28.
According to an official spokesman the yatra proceeded smoothly on both the tracks. He said 956 pilgrims left from Baltal base camp to holy cave this morning. Out of them 424 pilgrims left by foot and 532 by air, he added.
He said 500 pilgrims left from Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp via traditional Chandanwari track under tight security early this morning. Besides the yatris camping at various camps also left for their onwards sojourn this morning under tight security arrangements.
The spokesman said one pilgrim died of heart attack at holy cave late last night due to cardiac arrest. He was identified as Vishaw Mohan Gupta, 41 of UP. With this the total pilgrims who died during ongoing yatra has touched 34. They included two pilgrims and two sewadars who were killed in cylinder blast in a langar at Dumel last week.
The spokesman said 409 pilgrims left for holy cave from Bhagwati Nagar Jammu Yatri Niwas under tight security early this morning in a cavalcade of 12 vehicles.
Meanwhile, in connection with annual pilgrimage of Chhari-Mubarak Swami Amarnathji, Chhari-Sthapana ceremony was performed chanting Vedic hymn at Shri Amareshwar Temple Akhara Building Budshah Chowk Srinagar this morning by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji.
Chhari-Mubarak (holy mace), one depicting Lord Shiva and another Goddess Parvati shall be kept in the Temple at Akhara Building Srinagar for Darshana till the commencement of main course of pilgrimage on August 6.
The True Trust, founded by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji a decade ago, has made all the necessary arrangements like yester years for Sadhus and needy from the general public coming from across the country to join Chhari-Mubarak Swami Amarnath Ji yatra for their food, accommodation and transportation during the yatra.
Traditional Chhari-Pujan will be performed at Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar on the occasion of Nag-Panchami falling on Friday the of August Ist this year.
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