Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 22: The unrest in Valley has hit the Amarnath yatra to a great extent and the number of pilgrims visiting holy cave for darshan has decreased considerably in last few days.
On the 21st day of yatra today, only 2,910 pilgrims paid obeisance to Ice Lingam at holy cave situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet above the sea level in North Kashmir district of Anantnag.
With this the total number of pilgrims performing darshan at cave shrine since the 48 day long yatra started on July 2 has touched 1,96,382. However, the rush of yatra has decreased to a great extent now and there is no hustle and bustle seen at registration counters at Rail Head complex or at Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here.
Even no usual hustle and bustle is witnessed at Nunwan base camp or Pahalgam with the decrease in the number of pilgrims.
According to sources, the main cause of decline in yatra rush was suspension of pilgrimage several times in last two weeks forcing many pilgrims to return without performing darshan after remaining stranded at National Highway and other towns of Jammu region for days together.
According to an official spokesman, 1376 pilgrims reported at Baltal today from here while 1300 pilgrims left Baltal for holy cave today through the shortest track. While during the first week of yatra 10,000 to 15,000 pilgrims used to report at Baltal to leave for darshan daily.
Spokesman said that 1271 pilgrims left Chandanwari transit camp for holy cave this morning via the traditional Pahalgam-Sheshnag route. He said out of them, 621 pilgrims left from Nunwan -base camp. Besides, 44 pilgrims left by chopper. He said 128 pilgrims are staying for night at Nunwan base camp while 75 returned after darshan from holy cave via Chandanwari track today. Besides, 53 returned via chopper.
He said torrential rains lashed the yatra tracks from Sheshnag as well as Baltal to holy cave for the entire day disturbing the yatra for some time.
As per the weather forecast for tomorrow there will be rain with thundershowers on Jammu-Batote NH. The sky from Banihal to Pahalgam and Pahalgam to holy cave and Baltal to holy cave will be cloudy and there is possibility of light rain or thundershowers also.
Meanwhile, 1207 pilgrims left from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas for holy cave under tight security arrangements in a cavalcade of 39 vehicles.
These pilgrims had reached near Banihal till last reports came in and were on their way to two base camps.
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