Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 19: The holy Amarnath yatra is proceeding smoothly for last two weeks now after the initial hurdles created due to heavy rainfall and shooting stones on the yatra track resulting in suspension of pilgrimage for some days from both Baltal as well as Chandanwari tracks.
But this failed to dampen the spirits of pilgrims who in thousands from different parts of the country reach Kashmir Valley to embark upon the yatra from both traditional Nunwan -Chandanwari and Baltal tracks.
On the 22nd day of the yatra today, 7665 pilgrims paid obeisance in cave shrine situated at an altitude of 3880 meters in Lidder Valley in South Kashmir district of Anantnag.
According to an officer on yatra duty till date 2,16598 pilgrims performed darshan in cave shrine since the two month long yatra started on June 28.
Out of them majority of pilgrims have returned to their home states while others are on the way, the officer said.
He said about 4000 pilgrims left for holy cave from twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam. Out of them 1862 pilgrims left via shortest Baltal track early this morning while 966 left by chopper during the day. In addition to it 984 pilgrims left via traditional Chandanwari track from Nunwan-Pahalgam base camp, he added.
He said the yatris having night halt at transit camps of Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panjtarni also left for their onwards sojourn early this morning.
He said the weather in holy cave area and on two routes as well as base camps remained dry during the day and yatra proceeded smoothly.
The two -month long yatra will culminate on August 26 the day coinciding with Shrawan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals when holy mace from Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar will reach cave shrine.
Meanwhile a fresh batch of 2617 pilgrims left for twin base camps of Nunwan-Pahalgam and Baltal in Kashmir Valley from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas early this morning under tight security measures.
According to Yatra Nodal Officer, Arun Manhas these pilgrims will leave for holy cave from their respective base camps tomorrow morning.
He said 1247 pilgrims were registered at three registration counters in Jammu today and they included 75 Sadhus also. He said over 3000 pilgrims are camping at Jammu in Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, lodges and other community centers.
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