KNZ NEWS DESK
Srinagar, Jul 2 : Fresh batches of pilgrims on Monday left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps for holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where so far about 15,000 pilgrims have paid obeisance since the commencement on the 60-day-long pilgrimage from June 28.
Large number of pilgrims are paying obeisance at the cave shrine since this morning.
The annual pilgrimage was disrupted during the first three days because of landslides, slippery track and shooting stones due to incessant rain on both traditional Pahalgam and Baltal tracks. However, still about 3,500 pilgrims had ‘darshan’ of the self made ice-Shivlingam during the first three days and 11,000 yesterday on the fourth.
An official of the yatra control room said that fresh batch of pilgrims, including women and sadhus, left Baltal base camps for the holy Cave shrine early this morning as the weather is pleasant though a bit cloudy.
The pilgrims, after tracking 14-km-long hilly track will reach the holy shrine in the afternoon. Most of the pilgrims will try to return after paying obeisance at the cave, while others will prefer to stay in the camps. Meanwhile, pilgrims who had darshan at the cave shrine on Sunday have also started return journey for base camp.
Chanting ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Bam Bam Bholay’, a fresh batch of pilgrims also left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on traditional route. Majority of them prefer to travel in vehicles while sadhus cover the distance on foot.
Meanwhile, pilgrims, who had night halt at Chandanwari and other halting stations on the track, have also started their foot journey towards the cave shrine this morning.
