Srinagar, 07 July: An official said that around 70,000 devotees performed the Amarnath Yatra in the last four days as on Monday left another batch of 8,605 pilgrims for the Kashmir Valley.
According to officials, around 70,000 people have performed the ongoing Shri Amarnathji Yatra, as it began on 3 July. These 21,512 yatris had ‘darshan’ inside the holy cave temple on Sunday.
Officials said that another batch of 8,605 Yatris left the Bhagwati city passenger Nivas in Jammu for the Kashmir Valley in two escort convoys on Monday.
“The first escort convoy is taking 3,486 pilgrims to the North Kashmir Baltal Base Camp, while the second escort convoy is taking 5,119 yatris to South Kashmir Nanwan (Pahalgam) base camp,” officials said.
Officials of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), who manage the cases of the annual pilgrimage, said that apart from the number of Yatris coming to the Bhagwati city passenger Neus in Jammu, many Yatri are reporting directly to Baltal and Nunwan (Pahgam).
Since the beginning of the journey this year, two pilgrims have died due to natural reasons.
Officials have left no stone unturned to provide a multi-level cover to this year’s Amarnath Yatra, as it takes place after the April 22’s cowardly attack in which Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 citizens after separating 26 citizens on the basis of confidence in Baisran Meadows of Pahgam.
An additional 180 companies of CAPF have been introduced to increase the current strength of Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB and local police.
All transit camps are protected by security forces for two base camps and the entire route from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Nivas to Cave Temple in Jammu.
Local people have increased full cooperation for this year’s Amarnath Yatra as they have always done in the past. To send a powerful signs that Kashmiris were surprised by the Pahalgam terror attack, the locals were the first to welcome the first batch of Yatris with garlands and placards as the pilgrims crossed the Navig tunnel to enter the Kashmir Valley in the Kashmir Valley.
On Sunday, the locals served cold drinks and pure drinking water to Yatris while returning from the Baltal Base Camp in North Kashmir Genderbal district. Without any hesitation, for achieving a noble gesture, Yatris accepted the hospitality of the local people and thanked for the love shown by the Kashmiris for Yatris.
This year, the yatra began on 3 July and will end after 38 days on 9 August, which coincides with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.
The Yatris Kashmir is located in the Himalayas by either traditional Pahalgam route or small Baltal route at the holy cave pilgrimage site located 3888 meters above sea level.
Those using Pahalgam route have to pass through Chandanwari, Shashanag and Panchni to reach the temple of the cave, which covers a distance of 46 km on foot.
This trek takes four days to a pilgrim to reach the cave temple.
Those using the small Baltal route have to cover a distance of 14 km to reach the cave pilgrimage site and return to the base camp on the same day after traveling.
Due to security reasons, no helicopter services are available for Yatris this year.
The cave temple has an ice stagmite structure that vans and waxes with the stages of the moon.
Devotees believe that ice stagmite structure is a symbol of the mythological powers of Lord Shiva.
Shri Amarnath ji Yatra is one of the most sacred religious pilgrimage for devotees, as Little says that Lord Shiva narrated the mysteries of eternal life and immortality to Goddess Parvati inside this cave.
Two pigeons accidentally occurred inside the cave when the eternal secrets were heard by Lord Shiva.
Traditionally, even till date, a pair of pigeons of the mountain exit the cave pilgrimage when the annual journey begins