SRINAGAR : A small batch of just 30 pilgrims left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps this morning for holly Amarnath cave shrine, where final pujan will be organised tomorrow when the Chhari Mubarak, the holy silver mace of lord shiva, will be taken inside the cave on Raksha Bandhan.
“The weather is pleasant and the yatra was progressing smoothly,” a yatra officer said.
Meanwhile, after night halt, the Chhari Mubarak left Sheshnag today for Panchtarni, the last halting station on tradition route before the cave shrine.
The yatra official said about 17 pilgrims left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp early this morning for the cave shrine. However, the pilgrims will have to join the other devotees carrying Chhari Mubarak at Panchtarni tonight.
About 15 pilgrims left Baltal base camp early this morning for the cave shrine. The pilgrims are likely to reach the cave shrine this afternoon to pay obeisance.
Meanwhile, over 170 pilgrims, who had darshan at the cave shrine yesterday and early this morning, have started their return journey to Baltal base camp.
This year over 2.20 lakh pilgrims from different parts of the country paid obeisance at the cave shrine since the commencement of 48-day long pilgrimage on July 2.
However, the number of pilgrims have recorded considerable drop due to unrest in the valley since July 9.
Meanwhile, Chhari Mubarak carried by pilgrims, led by Mahant Depender Giri, had night halt at Sheshnag on the tradition route.
‘Bum Bum Bole’ and ‘Har Har Mahadev’ rendered in the air when Mahant Giri, custodian of the Chhari Mubarak, left Sheshnag for Panchtarni. The Chhari Mubarak will be taken inside the cave shrine tomorrow from Panchtarni for final pojan.
The Chhari will leave the cave shrine after day long puja on the concluding day of the annul yatra tomorrow. (AGENCIES)
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