Yatra not allowed due to landslide on NH
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 9: On the 40th day of darshan today over 2000 pilgrims drawn from different parts of country paid obeisance to naturally formed Ice Shivlingam in 3888 metre high Himalayan cave in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district today.
Officials said that 2,158 yatris from twin tracks of Baltal in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir and Nunwan -Pahalgam in South Kashmir district of Anatnag performed darshan at holy cave by this evening.
With this a total number of 2,27, 127 pilgrims visited holy cave during last 40 days.
Officials said that the majority of these pilgrims had returned to their home states by now while others are on way. They said the pilgrims who performed darshan in the cave shrine today also left for Base Camp of Baltal and transit camp of Panchtarni on the way to their home states.
Meanwhile, no yatra proceeded towards Kashmir Valley from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here due to landslides on Jammu- Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district.
A massive landslide blocked the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district early Wednesday following which no fresh batch of Amarnath pilgrims was allowed to leave from Jammu, officials said.
According to the traffic control room, the landslide hit the 270-km highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, near Maroog around 3 am.
“The restoration work is going on and is expected to be completed by 2 pm, following which the suspended traffic will be allowed from both sides – Nagrota in Jammu and Qazigund in Kashmir,” an official of the Department said.
No fresh batch of Amarnath pilgrims was allowed from Jammu in view of the Highway closure, the officials said.
“The yatra was suspended for the day from Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp due to the landslide on the Highway,” Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar said.
He said restoration work is going on at a war footing to make the highway trafficable.
The 62 -day annual yatra to holy cave will culminate on Sawan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandhan festival falling on August 31 when the holy mace of Lord Shiva led by Mahant Dependra Giri Ji its sole custodian will reach cave shrine for darshan from its abode Dashnami Akhara Srinagar.
Follow our WhatsApp channel