6 900 Amarnath pilgrims leave Jammu base camp for Kashmir
Jammu, Jul 5: Amid stringent security arrangements and multi-layer protection more than 47,000 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy Amarnath Cave Shrine, nestled in Himalayas, in first three days, officials told on Saturday.
According to data, 21,109 pilgrims visited the shrine on July 5 (Saturday), which included 16,159 males, 3,921 females, 226 children, 250 Sadhus, 29 Sadhvis, 3 transgender devotees, and 521 security personnel. This brings the cumulative total to 47,972 Yatris since the commencement of the Yatra.
Meanwhile, the fourth batch comprising 6,979 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu early Saturday and proceeded towards the twin base camps of Baltal in Ganderbal and Nunwan in Pahalgam, Anantnag, under tight security.
As per the details, the convoy departed in 312 vehicles, including 136 buses, 70 medium motor vehicles (MMVs) and 106 light motor vehicles (LMVs)
The group consisted of 5,196 males, 1,427 females, 24 children, 247 sadhus, 84 sadhvis, and 1 transgender pilgrim. Of them, 2,753 pilgrims opted for the Baltal route, while 4,226 proceeded via Pahalgam.
Pertinently, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinhaon Friday had said that devotees are coming from all parts of the country to have darshan of Baba Amarnath. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir are welcoming them with an open heart. The UT administration, the Government of India, and the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board have expanded services to ensure a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey for all.”
He had said, “Pilgrims arriving earlier than stipulated date will be accommodated, however I advise them to wait since those devotees who have prior registration will be given priority.”
Braving heavy rain, a fresh batch of over 6,900 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here on Saturday to pay a visit to the Amarnath shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said.
About 30,000 pilgrims have prayed at the 3,880 metre-high cave shrine since July 3 when the 38-day annual yatra commenced from the twin tracks in Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district.
The fourth batch of 6,979 pilgrims — 5,196 men, 1,427 women, 24 children, 331 sadhus and sadhvis and one transgender — left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in two separate convoys between 3.30 am and 4.05 am amid tight security, officials said.
While 4,226 pilgrims left in 161 vehicles for Nunwan base camp for the 48-kilometre traditional Pahalgam route, 2,753 pilgrims were headed for the shorter but steeper 14-kilometre Baltal route in 151 vehicles, they said.
With the fresh departure, a total of 24,528 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the Valley since Wednesday, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the yatra from here.
The yatra goes on as usual, albeit in tighter security, despite the April 22 Pahalgam attack in which 26 men were gunned down.
The Bhagwati Nagar base camp has been put under a multi-tier security cover. More than 3.5 lakh people have registered online for the pilgrimage so far.
Thirty-four accommodation centres have been set up across Jammu, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are being issued to the pilgrims. Twelve counters have been set up for an on-the-spot registration of pilgrims.
