Early Times Report
Jammu, July 27 In the last one week the total number of pilgrims heading towards Amarnath cave shrine has fallen drastically.
According to official sources before unrest started in Baltal base camp area, the average number of over 10,000 pilgrims per day were performing darshan of the ice lingam inside the cave shrine. After July 22, the day four pilgrims died due to a cylinder blast under mysterious circumstances, the yatra number started decreasing.
Significantly, the sudden decline in the yatra figures has started affecting the local residents engaged in the task of providing logistics to the pilgrims. The unrest at the Baltal base camp has also adversely affected the morale of the pilgrims and triggered in them the sense of insecurity after the pilgrim facilities and community kitchens became the target of some mischievous elements at Baltal. On Sunday when Shri Amarnath shrine board authorities released fresh yatra statistics, a spokesman of the board claimed 4,446 devotees paid obeisance before the Ice Lingam. With this, a total of 3,41,349 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the Holy Cave since the commencement of Shri Amarnathji Yatra.On Saturday, 4,974 devotees paid obeisance before the Ice Lingam.
On Friday, 6,289 devotees performed darshan while 6,972 devotees paid obeisance before the Ice Lingam on Thursday. 6,943 devotees paid obeisance before the Ice Lingam on Wednesday last.
On the day of the LPG gas cylinder blast, 6,849 devotees paid obeisance before the Ice Lingam.11,095 devotees paid obeisance before the Ice Lingam on July 21. It is on this day the total yatra crossed the landmark figure of 3 lakh. 10,019 devotees paid their obeisance before the Ice Lingam on July 20. |
