Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Aug 2: While first batch of pilgrims today performed Darshan at Shri Budha Amarnath at Mandi, a fresh batch of nearly 2900 prilgrims arrived here from Jammu this evening.
Official sources said that first batch of about 1500 pilgrims which reached Poonch late last evening, left for Mandi this morning which is about 23 kms from here and performed Darshan at Shri Budha Amarnath shrine. Most of the yatris had come from outside the State. These pilgrims had night stay at Poonch city.
Today morning about 2900 yatris including 2550 from outside the State including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, UP, Delhi and Punjab left for Poonch from Jammu in 40 buses and seven light vehicles. They reached safely here in the evening. The pilgrims had brief halt for breakfast, lunch and evening tea at Sunderbani, Rajouri and Bhimber Gali where Langars have been organised by some organizations. At BG Army is providing tea and snacks to the pilgrims.
The divisional administration did not allow the pilgrims to Mata Mangla near LoC in Nowshera today as the yatra reached very late at Poonch last night. In view of the security threat, the administration took decision to allow yatra from Sunderbani to Rajouri. The VHP and some other organizations have expressed resentment over the decision of the administration. They said it was already decided in the meeting to allow pilgrims to Mata Mangla but now denial of permission to them for Mangla Mata shrine is not fair. They appealed the administration to review its decision.
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