Widening of track makes trekking easy for pilgrims
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 3: With over 30,000 pilgrims paying obeisance at holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji, over one lakh pilgrims visited the shrine in last five days since the pilgrimage started on June 29.
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Over 30,586 pilgrims drawn from different parts of the country paid obeisance at holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji on the fifth day of darshan today while a fresh batch of 5725 pilgrims left from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here for twin base camps of Nunwan -Pahalgam and Baltal-Sonamarg in cavalcade of 238 light and heavy vehicles early this morning under tight security arrangements.
Officials said on the fifth day of darshan since the yatra started on June 29 this year 30,586 pilgrims paid obeisance to naturally formed Ice Lingam at Himalayan cave at the height of 3888 meters in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
This is the highest number of pilgrims performing darshan at Himalayan cave in last five days. With this, a total number of pilgrims performing darshan at cave shrine till date stands at 1,05,282.
Officials said that the yatris were seen in long queues at holy cave from early this morning waiting for their darshan. The security forces deployed at the shrine including jawans of JKAP 9th Battalion and activists of some NGOs were seen assisting the pilgrims and providing drinking water to pilgrims waiting in queues for darshan.
They said there is heavy rush of pilgrims at twin base camps of Nunwan -Pahalgam and Baltal- Sonamarg where thousands of yatris are camping.
The yatris who performed the darshan at holy cave visited via two tracks of Nunwan -Pahalgam and Baltal while hundreds of pilgrims also visited through special choppers. This year besides Pahalgam and Sonamarg, special chopper flights are being run from Srinagar to holy cave also.
Officials said that the Yatri Niwas at Pantha Chowk, Srinagar which is still under construction has, however, been opened for camping of the pilgrims as its three stories are complete. About 300 pilgrims are camping at this Yatri Niwas, officials added.
They said that over 4000 pilgrims were camping at Nunwan base camp while 3246 pilgrims reached there from Jammu by this evening.
Officials said 9182 yatris crossed the Access Control Gate at Domail to holy cave for darshan. They said over 23,000 yatirs are camping at Baltal while 14153 reached there by this evening after performing darshan at holy cave.
Thousands of pilgrims are also camping at Sheshnag and Panchtarni for the night.
Officials said that elaborate arrangements have been made by the UT administration and Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) for hassle free pilgrimage this time. Besides, the Government and SASB, the tent facilities have been provided by Army at Sheshnag, Panchtarni, Nunwan and Baltal to increase the holding capacity at these camps.
Moreover the hundred beds state of art hospitals are function at Baltal and Nunwan run by the State Health Department. In addition, the doctors and paramedical staff of J&K Health Services, the doctors and para medicos from other States are also rendering their services to the pilgrims in these hospitals.
Moreover, the new four kilometer long Bypass from Chandanwari to Pissutop which has been opened for pilgrims this time is proving beneficial and helpful to Yatris. This has eased out the tough gradient which was trademark of earlier alignments. Also the shelter sheds along the twin tracks are in place, officials added.
Besides, the widening of track has also turned beneficial and safe for the pilgrimage and decreased the risk faced due to narrow track earlier, officials said.
Meanwhile out of 5725 pilgrims who left from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas to holy cave early this morning 2514 preferred the shortest Baltal track while 3211 preferred the longest and traditional Pahalgam- Chandanwari track.
All these pilgrims reached their respective base camps by this evening where from they will leave for holy cave early tomorrow morning.
Officials said thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the country are daily reaching here to leave for the pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji. There is heavy rush of Yatris at Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas where over 4000 pilgrims are camping for the night. While heavy rush of pilgrims is also seen at the Saraswati Dham and Vaishnavi Dham near Railway Station. The Yatris are seen in long queues waiting for their registration at these two places.
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