Fresh batches leave base camps for holy cave, 1.32 lakh have darshan so far

Posted on July 11, 2019 By Asian Mail Kashmir, Latest News, Top Stories

Srinagar, :  ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Bam Bam Bholay’ rented in the air as fresh batches of pilgrims left base camps on Thursday for the holy cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where so far 1.32 lakh yatris have darshan of the self made Ice-Shivlingam since the commencement of the annual pilgrimage from July 1.
As per the age-old tradition, rituals namely ‘Bhoomi-Pujan’, ‘Navgrah Pujan’ and ‘Dhawajarohan’ connected with commencement of annual Chhari-Mubarak shall be performed at Pahalgam on auspicious occasion of ‘Ashad-Purnima’ (Vyas-Purnima) that falls on July 16. The annual yatra will conclude on August 15 the Shravanpurnima (Rakshabandan Day).
A fresh batch of 5,486 pilgrims, including women, sadhus and sadhvis, left Bagwati Nagar, Jammu, early this morning for Baltal base camp in central Kashmir district of Ganderbal and Nunwan Pahalgam in Anantnag.
Yatra was progressing smoothly from both traditional Pahalgam and shortest Baltal tracks, a yatra official told UNI this morning, adding that so far 1.32 lakh yatris have paid obeisance since the commencement of the annual pilgrimage from July 1.
He said about 1.32 lakh pilgrims, including women and sadhus, from different parts of the country have paid obeisance at the holy cave since the commencement of the pilgrimage from July 1 till this morning. Since early this morning yatris, who had night halt at different halting station, have darshan of the self made Ice-Shivlingam and more yatris are on way to holy cave.
He said ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Bam Bam Bholay rented in the air when fresh batch of pilgrims, including women, children and sadhus left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on traditional yatra track. The pilgrims, who had night halt at different stations, including Chandanwari, left for next stations early this morning.
He said fresh batch of pilgrims also left Baltal base camp for the holy cave early this morning. The pilgrims, including women, children and sadhus, will reach the holy cave after covering the distance on foot, he said. Helicopter service is also operating normally from both sides.
Majority of the pilgrims, who had darshan at the cave shrine, left for their homes. However, some pilgrims are taking time to visit Dal Lake and other tourist places, including Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam before leaving for home.
He said majority pilgrims, even those who are undertaking the pilgrimage via Pahalgam are returning through Baltal route.
UNI.