Anantnag, July 11: In the face of adverse weather conditions and the temporary suspension of the Amarnath Yatra due to incessant rainfall, the heart-warming hospitality of the people of Kashmir has emerged as a silver lining.
Spirit of Kashmiri hospitality shone brighter than ever, with the Panchtarni and Sheeshnag Tent Union Associations demonstrating unparalleled acts of kindness and compassion. Over 3,000 pilgrims were left stranded in Panchtarni, while approximately 3,500 found themselves marooned in Sheeshnag.
The tent union at Panchtarni and Sheeshnag emerged as a beacon of hope, offering solace and respite to thousands devotees, who were stranded in the days of rainfall.
President Tent Union Panchtarni Abdul Hameed Magray told Rising Kashmir that on the second day of incessant rainfall which halted yatra , we conceded the tent fare charges by a generous 30 percent which eased the financial burden on the pilgrims who were stranded in Panchtarni.
“As the rainfall persisted on the third day, we went above and beyond, provided free accommodation to all the stranded pilgrims in Panchtarni,” he said.
He said that this gesture aimed to alleviate the financial burden on the devotees who had unexpectedly extended their stay.
“Our objective is to ensure the well-being of the pilgrims. Money should not be a barrier when it comes to extending help. We are here to serve and provide solace to the devotees,” he said.
While talking to Chairman Tent Union Association Sheeshnag, Abdul Rashid said,
“We conceded 50 percent of tent fare charges in the second day of incessant rainfall while 70 percent on the third day in order to provide solace to devotees”.
“Our aim is to stand by our fellow human beings during challenging times. By significantly reducing the tent fare charges, we hope to lessen the financial burden and make the stay of the stranded pilgrims more comfortable,”.
A pilgrim from Rajasthan, expressed his gratitude, saying, “The rain might have halted our journey, but the warm embrace of the Kashmiri people has given us hope and strength. We are overwhelmed by their generosity and unwavering support during these challenging times,”.
The resilience and empathy shown by the people of Kashmir have not only provided a lifeline to the stranded pilgrims but have also restored faith in humanity.
