Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Over 4.76 lakh pilgrims have performed the Amarnath Yatra in the last 33 days, officials said, adding that the pilgrimage has been going on smoothly under strict security vigil. The Yatra started on June 29 and will conclude after 52 days on August 19 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.
Officials said on August 1 that, “Over 5000 had ‘darshan’ on July 31 as a fresh batch of 1,295 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in two escorted convoys at 3.32 am for the Valley today. The first escorted convoy of 15 vehicles carrying 349 yatris left for North Kashmir Baltal base camp while the second convoy of 33 vehicles carrying 946 yatris left for South Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp.”
“On August 9, Lord Shiva’s Mace (Chhari Mubarak) will move from its seat in Shri Amareshwar Dashnami Akhara temple in Srinagar city and will leave Pahalgam for the holy cave shrine on August 14, the custodian of holy mace,” Swami Deependra Giri said.
Arrangements of security, community kitchens (langars), transit and base camps and the ubiquitous presence of security forces all along the highway from Jammu to Kashmir have ensured a safe, smooth and hassle-free Yatra this year.
