Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 16: Over 13,000 pilgrims drawn from different parts of the country today paid obeisance at holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji on 18th day of pilgrimage while the 19th batch of 4132 Yatris left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here early this morning under tight security arrangements for the twin base camps of Baltal in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district and Nunwan-Pahalgam in South Kashmiri’s Anantnag district.
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Officials said that 13,132 pilgrims paid obeisance of Ice Shivlingam in Himalayan cave situated at an altitude of 3888 meters in South Kashmir’s Lidder Valley by this evening from twin tracks of Baltal and Chandanwari as well as special choppers.
Officials said that they included 8500 male, 3236 female, 80 Sadhus, three others besides 1395 service providers and security personnel.
They said with the performance of darshan by 13,132 today total number of yatris visiting the holy cave in last 18 days since the 52-day pilgrimage started on June 29 has touched 3,38,143. Out of them, majority of pilgrims have returned to their respective home States while others are on way, they added.
They said the pilgrims who performed darshan at cave shrine today also started their return journey towards Baltal base camp and Panchtarni halting camp. Officials said thousands of pilgrims are stationed at Baltal and Nunwan- Pahalgam. Some of them will leave for holy cave tomorrow morning while those who have performed darshan will leave towards their home States tomorrow morning.
Officials said the weather in entire Yatra area as well as holy cave was pleasant today and yatra proceeded normally.
Officials said that among the 4132 pilgrims who left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas early this morning for twin base camps included 2972 male, 1198 female, 18 children, 68 Sadhus and six Sadhvis. Among them 1888 choose the shortest and tough terrain Baltal track while 2324 opted for the longest and traditional Chandanwari track. All these pilgrims have reached their respective base camps by this evening where from they will leave to holy cave early tomorrow morning.
The 52 -day long Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra that started on June 29 will culminate on Shravan Purnima coinciding with Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan falling on August 19 when holy mace of Lord Shiva led by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji will reach cave shrine from its abode Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar after two day night halt at Pahalgam, one day night haltage each at Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni.
Meanwhile thousands of pilgrims thronged Jammu today also to embark on holy pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji.
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