Early Times Report
srinagar, July 1: The number of yatris, undertaking the pilgrimage to Amarnath cave shrine, situated at 13,500 feet in south Kashmir Himalayas, witnessed a decline after Uttarakhand floods, which probably continue to haunt devotees.
However, there was absolutely no threat of such a flood at the cave shrine or base camp, experts said. More than two years after the tragedy struck at Uttarakhand, it still is haunting the people who do not want to take any risk.
However, still thousands of yatris are undertaking the pilgrimage to have the darshan of the self made Ice-Shivlingam in the cave shrine.
According to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) the highest number of 6.35 lakhs paid obeisance at the holy cave in 2013, when 106 yatris died due to natural death, mostly heart attack.
However, in 2012, the number of yatris who offered puja at the shrine was 6.21 when 120 pilgrims died during the yatra. The matter was taken to Supreme Court. Later on the directions of the Apex court health certificate and yatra permit was made necessary for all pilgrims. Medical facilities were also upgraded and facilities increased for the pilgrims.
In 2013,when floods struck at Uttarakhand, the number of yatris declined to 3.54 lakh as large number of pilgrims cancelled their trip. However, only 15 yatris lost their lives during the pilgrimage.
Last year the number witnessed an increase again as 3.72 lakh paid obeisance at the cave shrine when 41 pilgrims lost their lives during the yatra. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SASB, P K Tripathi as on June 29, a total of 2,04,508 pilgrims had secured Advance Registration and 22,104 had purchased helicopter tickets from Baltal and Pahalgam to Panjtarni to undertake the pilgrimage. However, authorities are hopeful that more yatris will join the pilgrimage as on the spot registration is also available at different places in the state. Before 2006, all pilgrims, carrying the holy Silver Mace of Lord Shiva, were undertaking the journey to cave Shrine together from traditional Pahalgam track. However, after the death of more than 250 yatris, mostly sadhus due to snowfall and rain at different places on the track, a committee was appointed and SASB was constituted to arrange the yatra.
However, thousands of pilgrims could be saved after they were provided shelter by Muslims in south Kashmir in their houses besides provided them meals without charging anything from them. The committee recommended that yatris should be allowed to undertake the pilgrims in small batches to avoid casulities. |
