Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 22: On the 25 th day of darshan of Swami Amarnath yatra today, over 6000 pilgrims paid obeisance to Lord Shiva in the cave shrine situated at an altitude of 3880 meters in Lidder Valley of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
According to a officer on yatra duty, 6,150 pilgrims performed darshan at holy cave today and till date 236,157 pilgrims performed the darshan of Ice Lingam in the cave shrine since the two month -long yatra started on June 28. Click here to watch video
The officer said there is a decrease in the yatra rush during last some days. He said the rush at twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan has now come down and in comparison 10000, to 15,000 pilgrims staying for night haltage at Baltal earlier, it has come down to 5000 to 6000 pilgrims now.
He said about 5000 pilgrims are staying at Baltal for night today while 1866 pilgrims left from Baltal track to holy cave early this morning. Besides 915 yatris left by choppers, he added.
He said 1469 pilgrims left for holy Cave from Naunwan Base camp via traditional Chandanwari track. Besides, the pilgrims having night halt at Sheshnag, and Panjtarni also left for their onwards sojourn, he added.
The weather remained cloudy but dry in entire yatra area and yatra proceeded smoothly, he said.
Yatra Nodal Officer, Arun Manhas said that 1179 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas early this morning for holy cave under tight security measures for Baltal and Nunwan base camps.
He said 1088 pilgrims were registered at three registration counters of Jammu today and they will leave for holy cave early tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, Governor, N.N. Vohra, who is also Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, (SASB) visited Baltal Base Camp, Domel Access Control Gate and Neelgrath Helipad to gain a first hand assessment of the ongoing pilgrimage and the difficulties, if any, being faced by the Yatris. Governor was accompanied by Bhupinder Singh, Additional CEO of the Shrine Board, Dr. Piyush Singla, Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal and Fayaz Ahmad Lone, SSP Ganderbal.
On arrival at the Baltal Base Camp, Governor went round the Camp; visited the Base Hospital where he met doctors from Delhi and Rajasthan who are serving this 40 bed medical unit since 28 June; visited a few langars and Shrine Board huts; reviewed the functioning at the Base Camp.
He devoted considerable time to review the sanitation and cleanliness arrangements within and outside the camp and gave directions to Additional CEO, General Manager (Works), General Manager (Sanitation) and Camp Director regarding the further actions to be taken by them to enhance cleanliness.
Later, Governor took a meeting with Camp Directors and all the officers involved in the conduct of Yatra. He particularly reviewed the sanitation arrangements; functioning of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP); water and power supplies; functioning of Medical Units and Langars, availability of essential commodities etc. Governor reiterated his earlier directions to camp directors about the need to ensure effective maintenance of sanitation in all the camps in the Yatra area, besides, complete cleanliness along both the yatra routes. He directed the camp directors and all concerned officers of the district administration to ensure that there is no impediment in the pilgrimage till its conclusion on August 26.
Later Governor inspected the heli-operations at the Neelgrath Helipad and enquired about the services from the Yatris.
Considering the progressive decline in the strength of the pilgrimage, Governor will hold a meeting next week, also involving all security forces, regarding the management of the pilgrimage in the remaining period of the yatra.
Meanwhile, A Sadhu died at Sheshnaag of Cardiac arrest tonight. He has been identified as Ramesh Chander of Gujarat. With this 28 yatris have died so far in the ongoing yatra.
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