Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 30: With Shri Amarnath yatra being resumed from Baltal track also this morning, over 3700 pilgrims drawn from different parts of the country performed darshan of naturally formed Ice Lingam of Lord Shiva at holy cave of Baba Amarnath situated at 3880 metres above sea level in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district today.
According to officials 3799 pilgrims performed darshan on 31st day of yatra at holy cave of Baba Amarnath by this evening and the yatra was also resumed from Baltal –Dumel track which remained suspended for two consecutive days due to inclement weather, rainfall and slippery tracks. No yatra from this route was allowed on July 28 and 29 while yatra from traditional and longest 48 km Nunwan -Chandanwari track was resumed yesterday morning after remaining suspended on July 28 due to inclement weather.
With 3779 pilgrims performing darshan at holy cave today the total number of yatris visiting Shri Amarnath Ji since the 43 day yatra started on June 30 has touched 2,78,739. Till yesterday 2,74, 940 pilgrims had paid obeisance at holy cave, officials said.
Officials said that the weather was partly cloudy today and yatra proceeded smoothly from both the tracks. However the number of pilgrims visiting the holy has decreased considerably for last some days. There is no heavy rush at the twin base camps or other camps enroute to holy cave as was seen during the first month of the yatra.
Meanwhile a fresh batch of 597 pilgrims left for holy cave from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here early this morning in a cavalcade of 30 vehicles under tight security arrangements. This is the lowest number of pilgrims leaving for holy cave from here since first batch which was flagged off by Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha on June 29 this year.
Among them 442 pilgrims preferred Nunwan-Pahalgam track while 155 pilgrims preferred Baltal-Dumail track. These pilgrims will leave for darshan tomorrow from their respective tracks.
Officials said that yatris camping at Nunwan, Chandanwari and Sheshnag also left for their onwards sojourn early this morning.
The 43 day long yatra will culminate on Swan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandhan festival falling on August 12 when holy mace of Lord Shiva from Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar will reach the cave shrine.
The holy mace will leave for cave shrine from its abode Dashnami Akhara Srinagar on August 7 after Chhari Satapana being held at Amreshwar temple on August 2.
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