Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 22: With over 12,000 pilgrims paying obeisance at holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji on 24th day of pilgrimage today, the number of yatris who visited the cave shrine since the first day of darshan on June 29 has crossed four lakh.
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Officials said 12,5,53 pilgrims drawn from different parts of country paid obeisance at Himalayan cave from twin tracks of Baltal and Chandanwari besides special choppers today on the first Monday (Somwar) of Shravan which is considered auspicious month as per Hindu mythology and is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. With this, the total number of pilgrims visiting the holy cave in last 24 days has reached 4,08,518.
Officials, said they included 7760 male, 2772 females, 174 children, 175 Sadhus, one Sadhvi, and 1657 service providers and security force personnel.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 3281 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here for twin base camps of Baltal -Sonamarg in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district and Nunwan -Pahalgam in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district under tight security arrangements early this morning in a cavalcade of 11 light and heavy vehicles.
They included 2325 male, 822 female, six children, 62 Sadhus and 16 Sadhvis.
Among them, 1302 Yatris preferred the shortest and toughest Baltal track while 1979 preferred the longest and traditional Nunwan-Chandanwari route, officials said adding all the Sadhus and Sadhvis left via traditional Pahalgam track.
The weather was partly cloudy in Yatra area and pilgrims proceeded normally from both the tracks during the day, officials said.
They said that 5113 pilgrims staying at Baltal camp left for darshan towards holy cave early this morning while 6086 pilgrims were staying for a night halt at Panchtarni. Besides 2308 pilgrims left for their home states after performing darshan today, they added.
The pilgrims who had reached the base camps of Nunwan and Pahalgam yesterday also started their sojourn towards holy cave early this morning, officials said, adding the rush is still normal as thousands of Yatris are reaching the holy cave daily.
Officials said the majority of pilgrims who performed darshan at cave shrine in last 24 days have reached their home States while others are on the way. The Yatris are all praise for the arrangements made by Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) and UT administration especially the widening of tracks from both the sides of Baltal and Chandanwari with construction of bridges and railing on the tracks to avert accidents.
The pilgrims are also appreciative of the services provided by Sewadars at free Langers and cooperation rendered by officials and security forces including J&K Police.
The 52-day-long Yatra to 3888 meter high Himalayan cave will culminate on Shaavan Purnima coinciding with Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan falling on August 19 when the holy mace of Lord Shiva led by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji, its sole custodian will reach the cave shrine from its abode Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar.
The month long rituals of holy mace have started from yesterday when Bhumi Poojan and Hawan was performed at Pahalgam by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji and Sadhus. This will follow other rituals at Shankaracharya temple, Hariparvat and Dashnami Akhara in Srinagar before the holy mace is taken to cave shrine.
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