Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 8: On the 41st day of pilgrimage over 2100 Yatris drawn from different parts of country paid obeisance to naturally formed ice Shivlingam in holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji situated at an altitude of 3888 metres above sea level in deep Himalayas of South Kashmir district of Anantnag today while the 42nd batch of 574 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar, Yatri Niwas here for the Baltal base camp early this morning under tight security measures in a cavalcade of 17 light and heavy vehicles.
Officials said a fresh batch of 2173 pilgrims performed darshan at the Himalayan Cave today from Baltal base Camp and special chopper services. With this a total number of 5,07,139 pilgrims visited the cave shrine in last 41 days since the 52 day pilgrimage started on June 29 from twin tracks of Baltal and Nunwan.
Officials said that the majority of pilgrims among them have returned to their home states by now while others are on the way. They said the pilgrims who reported at Baltal base camp yesterday also left for holy cave early this morning.
They said, while Yatra has been suspended via Nunwan-Chandanwari track due to immediate repairs to the track damaged by recent rains, the Yatra is smoothly proceeding via Baltal track.
Officials said among the 574 pilgrims who left via Baltal track from here early this morning included 477 male, 76 female and 21 Sadhus. They have reached to their destination by this evening wherefrom they will leave towards holy cave early tomorrow morning.
It may be recalled that the Chhari Sathapana (holy mace of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati) was performed with religious fervor and gaiety at its abode Amreshwar temple, Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar yesterday and Chhari Pujan will be performed tomorrow. The holy mace will be kept for darshan of devotees at Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar up to August 14 morning and on that day it will proceed for the holy cave of Swami Amarnath Ji while paying obeisance at various Hindu shrines and temples enroute up to Pahagam during the day.
The holy mace will stay for two nights at Pahalgam and it will reach cave shrine on August 19 i.e on the Hindu festival of Sawan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. After performing Puja at holy cave in a traditional way and holding prayers for peace and prosperity of mankind the holy mace led by its sole custodian Mahant Deependra Giri Ji will proceed towards Panchtarni on the same day and next day it will leave towards Pahalgam on its way to Dashnmai Akhara, Srinagar.
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