Irfan Yattoo & Umar Raina
Srinagar, July 09: Amidst improved weather conditions, the much-awaited Amarnath Yatra has resumed, providing respite to the devoted pilgrims. After a two-day suspension due to inclement weather, the pilgrimage resumed on Sunday, from the traditional Pahalgam route in south Kashmir. However, the Baltal route in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district experienced a halt in the pilgrimage due to landslides, according to officials.
The yatra had been temporarily suspended on Friday on both routes following heavy rains, which triggered landslides and shooting stones at various locations. However, on Sunday, with the weather showing signs of improvement, the holy yatra resumed through the traditional Panjtarni and Sheshnag base camps in Pahalgam, following the two-day hiatus.
Meanwhile, a batch of 6491 yatries performed darshan at Holy cave, today. Among the yatries who paid obeisance at the cave included 4700 Males, 1456 Females, 213 children, 116 Sadhus and 06 Sadvis. 93929 pilgrims performed darshan at Shri Amarnathji Shri till today.
Due to the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, no fresh batch of devotees were allowed from the Jammu Base camp, leading to approximately 6,000 Amarnath Yatra pilgrims being stranded at Ramban. On Sunday, only a few hundred individuals were granted permission for darshan (worship) at the holy cave.
“If weather conditions permit on Monday, stranded batches from the base camps will be allowed to proceed towards the traditional routes of the Yatra,” stated a senior official at the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).
The official further informed that stranded yatris (pilgrims) were permitted to move from the Pahalgam side, while those who had already performed darshan were allowed to proceed towards the base camps.
Since the initiation of the 62-day annual pilgrimage to the 3,888-meter-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas on July 1, more than 80,000 pilgrims have paid their respects at the holy cave shrine. This year, over 300,000 devotees have registered for the Amarnath Yatra, surpassing the 365,000 pilgrims who visited the holy shrine last year.
Meanwhile, the annual Hindu pilgrimage of Amarnath Yatra, which involves the arduous trek to the holy cave from the base camp in Baltal, is yet to resume as continuous rainfall has rendered the track treacherous and slippery.
Consequently, the onward movement of the yatra has been suspended for the third consecutive day from the Baltal side. However, to ensure the pilgrims’ spiritual journey is not hindered, the government has arranged helicopter services, allowing some devotees to pay their obeisance.
Official sources revealed that due to the persistent rainfall, the pilgrimage route has become hazardous, leading to the suspension of the yatra’s progress for three consecutive days.
Nonetheless, the government has swiftly responded by organizing helicopter services to facilitate the pilgrimage for those eager to complete their journey. “The helicopter service had already been provided by the government, allowing some pilgrims to fulfill their religious duties,” stated an official.
The resumption of foot movement for the yatra will be contingent upon improved weather conditions, ensuring the safety of the pilgrims. Authorities expressed their sincere wishes for the happiness and security of the yatris, emphasizing that comprehensive measures have been implemented to address security concerns and other welfare-related issues, aiming to guarantee a successful pilgrimage. “We have ensured the provision of top-notch facilities for the pilgrims, so that they do not encounter any difficulties during the yatra,” assured the officials.
