Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 28: With number of pilgrims decreasing day by day, the 48 day long holy Amarnath yatra will unlikely cross 2.5 lakh this time.
So far only 2,10,179 pilgrims performed darshan at cave shrine. On the 27th day of yatra today 1,546 pilgrims paid obeisance of Ice Lingam in holy cave situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet from sea level in Lidder Valley of South Kashmir district of Anantnag.
According to sources, the yatra base camps as well as transit camps enroute to holy cave wore a deserted look now and there is no usual hustle and bustle. The maximum number of pony wallas and people providing tent accommodation to pilgrims have packed up now as their business was hit to a great extent after the decrease in yatra rush for last two weeks now due to the unrest in the Valley.
An official spokesman said the yatra which remained suspended from both the tracks yesterday due to heavy rains was resumed this morning as the weather improved today.
He said 1546 pilgrims left from Baltal base camp to holy cave through shortest 14 km long track while 320 pilgrims reported at Baltal base camp from Jammu by this morning.
He said 1004 pilgrims left from Chandanwari to holy cave today and they included 896 from Nunwan Base Camp. Besides, 39 pilgrims left for holy cave from Pahalgam by chopper while 88 returned via chopper to Pahalgam after performing darshan at cave shrine.
He said besides 253 returned to Pahalgam by foot after performing darshan at holy cave today and 140 pilgrims from Pahalgam left for Jammu this evening, he added.
He said the weather was dry during the day from both the tracks as well as at holy cave today.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 429 pilgrims left for holy cave in 12 vehicles under tight security from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here today.
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