SRINAGAR : Yatra is going on smoothly as fresh batches of pilgrims left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps for the holy Amarnath cave shrine at 13400 feet in south Kashmir Himalyas early this morning.
Meanwhile, the self made Ice-Shivlingam has melted and it is the “Astha” which brings pilgrims there to pay obeisance. Weather is pleasant and yatra is going on smoothly, a Yatra Control Room (YCR) official said today.
He said 1388 pilgrims, including women, children and sadhus, paid obeisance at the cave shrine yesterday. With this a total of 3,44 517 pilgrims had offered pujan at the cave shrine since the commencement of the 59-day-long annual yatra from July 2. The yatra will conclude on August 29 when the Chhari Mubarak, holy Silver Mace of Lord Shiva will be taken inside the cave shrine for final pujan before declaring the yatra closed.
Though the Ice Shivlingam has melted due to increase in the mercury, which was recorded above normal for the past one month, devotees still throng there to pay obeisance.
It is the Astha which brings us here, a group of pilgrims said on way to Baltal. We believe that Mahadeve Bolay Shankar is there to bless us, they said, adding it hardly makes any difference whether the ice-Shivlingam is there or melts.
Meanwhile, Bam Bam Boley rented in the air as fresh batches of yatris, including women and sadhus, also left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the 45-km-long track on traditional route.
Similarly pilgrims, who had night halt at Chandanwari also started their onward journey towards the cave shrine early this morning.
He said fresh batches of yatris, including women, sadhus and children, left Baltal base camp early this morning for the cave shrine. Pilgrims are scheduled to reach the cave shrine after covering the 16-km-long track on foot this afternoon.
Similarly pilgrims, who had night halt at cave shrine after paying obeisance yesterday also started their return journey towards base camps early this morning.
Majority of the pilgrims had since returned to their homes while some have extended their stay visiting tourist spots, particularly Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Yusmarg and Mughal gardens. (AGENCIES)
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