Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, July 16: A fresh batch of pilgrims left Baltal base camp this morning, while yatra remained suspended from traditional Pahalgam track to the holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas. Till yesterday 1.65 lakh had 'darshan' of the self made Ice-Shivlingam since the commencement of the 48-day-long pilgrimage from July 2. However, the number of pilgrims, who left to the holy cave from Baltal, was not known as cellular services have been suspended in Kashmir valley in view of the prevailing situation. A yatra official in Srinagar told UNI that a fresh batch of pilgrims have left Baltal base camp to the holy cave shrine, situated at 13,000 feet above sea level, But he said the number of yatries couldn't be confirmed in view of snapping of mobile connectivity.
Meanwhile, the yatris, who had arrived from Jammu yesterday, are in good spirit and were likely to reach the cave shrine in the afternoon after covering the hilly terrain by foot. Official said pilgrims, who paid obeisance yesterday, are on way back to Baltal base camp.
Pilgrims arriving from Jammu are being taken to Baltal base camp to avoid Anantnag-Pahalgam road for security reasons. He said till yesterday, 7,017 pilgrims paid obeisance at the Amarnath cave shrine, where so far 1.65 lakh yatris had 'darshan' of the self made Ice-Shivlingam since July 2. Meanwhile, about 1,540 vehicles, carrying pilgrims who had paid obeisance at holy Amarnath cave shrine, left Baltal base camp in the central Kashmir district of Kashmir for Jammu under unprecedented security arrangements late last night. |
