Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 12: Undeterred by violence in Kashmir valley, thousands of devotees continued to reach here from different parts of country as a fresh batch of 4052 pilgrims left from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas for holy cave this afternoon amid tight security measures.
These yatris left in a cavalcade of 122 vehicles in an escort of a big contingent of security forces. All these yatris were on way to base camps of Nunwan, Pahalgam and Baltal and they will reach there by tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, 4455 pilgrims performed darshan at holy cave on 11th day of pilgrimage today. With this, the total number of pilgrims paying obeisance at cave shrine situated at an altitude of 13000 feet in deep Himalayas in South Kashmir district of Anantnag since the 48 day long yatra started on July 2 has touched 1,37,719, an official spokesman said.
He said 3159 pilgrims who have reached Baltal from other parts of country by this morning left for darshan of Ice Lingam via the shortest track.
He said over only 81 pilgrims left for holy cave from Nunwan -Pahalgam while 112 pilgrims left for cave shrine from transit camp of Chandanwari. The pilgrims camping at Sheshnag and Panchtarni also left for their onwards sojourn early this morning, he added.
He said the yatris who came from Jammu yesterday preferred the shortest Baltal track in view of prevailing situation in the Valley as no pilgrim came via Pahalgam route.
The spokesman said 548 pilgrims are presently camping at Nunwan camp and majority of them are Sadhus who had reached there after paying obeisance at cave shrine.
Though these yatris were pressing hard to authorities for arrangement of transport for them to leave for Jammu but due to non availability of transport they have to stay at base camp for one more night. The spokesman said that they will be provided transport for Jammu tomorrow.
He said the yatris who reached Baltal by this evening and who were stranded there after the buses could not be made available for them yesterday are being shifted to Jammu tonight under tight security arrangements.
Spokesman said the weather was partially cloudy on both the tracks of cave shrine.
Meanwhile, one more pilgrim breathed his last at Bus Stand Baltal today. With this, the death toll during ongoing yatra has reached eight.
He was identified as Vinod Kumar Yadav, 45 of Varanasi UP. He died of cardiac arrest. His body will be handed over to his relatives tomorrow.
Despite unrest in Valley, the spirits of yatris have not dampened as thousands of pilgrims are reaching Jammu every day. Reports said over 1000 pilgrims had crossed the Lakhanpur barrier by this evening through road while many more came via Railway.
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