Early Times Report
Srinagar, July 25: Yatra was progressing smoothly from shortest Baltal and traditional Pahalgam tracks on Wednesday to holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where so far 2.43 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance since the commencement of the 60-day-long pilgrimage from June 28.
About 1,000 pilgrims, who had a night halt at camps adjacent to cave shrine, paid obeisance to the self made Ice Shivlingam since early this morning. Yesterday, 1,629 had 'darshan' at the cave shrine till late in the night. With this, a total of 2.43 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance at the cave. Majority of the yatris had left for their homes.
" Bam Bam Bolay" and " Har Har Mahadev" rented the air when a fresh batch of pilgrims left Baltal base camp for the holy cave shrine early this morning following improvement in the weather, official sources told .
They said yatra on this track was suspended yesterday due to slippery track conditions following overnight rain. Today yatris were allowed to move towards the cave shrine following reports that 14-km-long hilly track was safe for undertaking the foot journey, they said, adding that the pilgrims are expected to reach the holy cave in the afternoon to pay obeisance.
Similarly, they said, pilgrims who had night halt at cave shrine after 'darshan', have also started their return journey towards Baltal base camp.
Meanwhile, fresh batch of pilgrims, including women and sadhus, left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp base camp for first halting station at Chandanwari on the traditional track. However, majority of the pilgrims will continue their journey towards the next halting station, they said. The yatris who had night halt at Chandanwari also left for next station early this morning. |
