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| No Lingam darshan before official calendar | | | Early Times Reporter
Baltal | May 7
Smitten by controversies of the past, the Sri Amarnath Shrine Board has made it clear that no pilgrim will be allowed to have darshans at the case shrine before stipulated period of the years –June 18.
Two years back the board was caught in a controversy for earlier melting of the Lingam. However, probe which was later ordered to look into the issue, had concluded that some people touched the lingam even before commencement of the yatra and lit agarbatis (incessant sticks) leading to melting of the stalagmite.
Not ready to take any chance, this year the Board has urged the civil administration and police in particular not to allow any pilgrim to visit holy cave shrine before the commencement of the annual pilgrimage from June 18 this year.
At a meeting with the local police at the forward base camp here this afternoon, Principal Secretary to Governor and Chief Executive Officer, SASB, Dr Arun Kumar hoped that the pilgrims would also desist from undertaking the pilgrimage before the scheduled day. He called for close synergy between various agencies to ensure smooth and regulated pilgrimage. A team of Anantnag police has also reached Baltal to regulate the pilgrimage.
Dr Kumar along with a team of engineers also inspected the work on temporary pre-fabricated huts and toilets going apace at Baltal. He said that the helipad is being given a face lift and a covered approach passage is also being put in place well before the yatra takes off. A ticketing counter and a reception centre are also being set up for convenience of the pilgrims intending to go by helicopters. For the first, 50 European style toilets are being added in the camp while a modern frisking point will also be raised in the periphery, he added.
The Chief Executive Officer said that clearance on the 13 kilometer track from the holy cave shrine to Baltal is apace with 100 local workers engaged on the job in shifts. The entire Baltal valley is almost covered by snow. He had a meeting with the locals also who are managing the housekeeping of the shelter huts.
Dr Kumar emphasized that every possible step is being taken to ensure health and hygiene in the area with due focus on preserving the ecology. He said the Board has geared up its field agencies to upgrade the facilities for pilgrims to ensure smooth pilgrimage.
He also discussed the progress on various works on the route leading to the holy cave shrine. The local workers had also an interaction with the Chief Executive Officer. |
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