Ganderbal, July 02: As Amarnath Yatra commenced on Saturday, locals from the Ganderbal district in central Kashmir welcomed the pilgrims with enthusiasm.
Locals who every year install their tents for the conveniences of Yatris at Baltal Base camp have expressed their satisfaction.
For the past several decades locals of different areas of Ganderbal district have played an important role for their Hindu pilgrims .
A local vendor from the Ganderbal area told Rising Kashmir that since decades on whenever Annual Yatra begins locals communities always welcome pilgrims with lots of love.
Amarnath yatra is a symbol of religious tolerance – local Muslims play an important role in making it successful. Kashmiri Muslims provide necessary facilities to Hindu devotees travelling through foot Horses, Palanquin to Amarnath Cave – this tradition is hundreds of years old, said another local Tawheed.
People from different districts of Kashmir valley reach twin routes of Both Baltal and Pahalgam ten or fifteen days before Yatra for setting up their tents and shops so that the pilgrims coming to Darshan of ”Shivlingam” never face any problem during the Yatra.
History testifies that the people of Kashmir have participated in the rescue operations and relief without caring for their lives while demonstrating humanity, he said.
People associated with yatra say that they were waiting eagerly throughout the year for the pilgrims because Yatra is associated with our livelihood.
Locals who established their business units at Baltal believe that the pilgrimage will boost Kashmir’s economy.
Yatra is the ancient example of strong inclusive culture of Kashmiris. The strong relation of the local people with the annual yatra describes the lifestyle, morals and culture of Kashmiris.
Various NGOs/Societies etc from many parts of India offer free food, water and refreshment to the Yatris en route to Holy Cave to set up free Langers every year.
During the pilgrimage, the cave is approached by pilgrims either through the 46-km-long traditional Pahalgam-Chandanwari-Sheshnag-Panchtarni trek or through the 14-km-long Baltal-Dumail trek.
