Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 18: After remaining suspended for two times in last two weeks, the Amarnath yatra has constantly picked up now with 6,679 pilgrims performing darshan at holy cave of Lord Shiva situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet from sea level in deep Himalayas in South Kashmir district of Anantnag on 17th day of pilgrimage today.
With this, the total number of yatris performing darshan at holy cave since the 48 day long yatra started on July 2, has touched 1,79,530.
According to an official spokesman, the yatra is constantly picking up once again despite the disturbances and unrest in Valley which affected the movement of yatris to a great extent in last two weeks and forced the authorities to suspend pilgrimage for several days twice.
The spokesman said that the yatra which remained suspended from traditional Pahalgam track for over one week and was only restored yesterday has also considerably started picking up.
He said 1955 pilgrims left for holy cave from Nunwan-Pahalgam base camp and Chandanwari transit camp this morning. Out of them 986 left from Nunwan. These pilgrims had reached there from Jammu late last night and some were staying in hotels at Pahalgam while rest were camping in Nunwan base camp, he added.
The spokesman said 200 pilgrims are staying at Nunwan Base camp tonight. Besides, 101 pilgrims left for holy cave from Pahalgam via chopper. Out of them, 52 returned and rest are staying at Panchtarni and they will return tomorrow, he added.
The spokesman said 5,145 pilgrims left for holy cave from shortest Baltal track this morning while 5206 pilgrims reported at Baltal base camp during last night.
He said the weather was cloudy at Baltal as well as Pahalgam track while it rained heavily for some hours in the morning at cave shrine and Sheshnag disturbing the movement of yatra for some time. However, later the yatra plied smoothly, he added.
Meanwhile, a yatri from Delhi died due to cardiac arrest at Baltal base camp taking death toll to 16 in the ongoing pilgrimage. The dead included one CRPF jawan and a local driver since the yatra commenced on July 2.
A yatra official said that a pilgrim identified as 42 year old Mithin Lal, son of Jangly Ram of Delhi suffered a massive cardiac arrest at Baltal base camp. He was immediately rushed to nearby hospital where he was declared as brought dead. With this the total 14 Pilgrims died on way to holy cave. Out of them 13 died of cardiac arrest while one was killed in road accident.
Meanwhile a fresh batch of 1736 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas for base camps of Nunwan and Baltal this afternoon under tight security arrangements in a cavalcade of 53 vehicles. These yatris had reached near Jawahar Tunnel when last reports came in and they will report the two base camps by tonight to proceed for holy cave tomorrow.
The Chhari Poojan will also be performed at Pahalgam on the bank of river Lidder tomorrow on the occasion of Guru Purnima signaling the formal start of holy Amanrnath yatra as per Hindu tradition. The holy mace will be carried from its abode Dashnami Akhara Srinagar to Pahalgam tomorrow and after performing the rituals it will be brought back to Srinagar later in the evening.
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