Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: During the 9 days since it started on July 3, so far 1.63 lakh Yatris have performed the Amarnath Yatra, even as another batch of 6,639 pilgrims left for Kashmir from Jammu on July 12. Officials said that since the Yatra started on July 3, so far 1.63 lakh pilgrims had ‘darshan’ inside the holy cave shrine.
“Another batch of 6,639 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys for the Valley today. “First escorted convoy of 116 vehicles carrying 2,337 Yatris left at 2.50 A.M. for Baltal base camp, while the second escorted convoy of 161 vehicles carrying 4,302 Yatris left at 3.55 A.M. for Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp,” officials said.
Bhumi Pujan of ‘Chhari Mubarak’ (Lord Shiva’s Holy Mace) was performed at Pahalgam on July 10. The Chhari Mubarak was taken to Pahalgam by a group of sadhus led by the sole custodian of the Chhari Mubarak, Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, from its seat at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar to Pahalgam.
In Pahalgam, the Chhari Mubarak was taken to the Gauri Shankar temple, where the Bhumi Pujan was held. The Chhari Mubarak will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9, when the Yatra will officially conclude.
Authorities have made extensive multi-tier security arrangements for this year’s Amarnath Yatra, as this takes place after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them on the basis of faith in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam. An additional 180 companies of CAPFs have been brought in to augment the existing strength of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB and the local police.
