First batch of pilgrims to Lord Shiva’s Amarnath shrine for annual pilgrimage will take off from Bhagwati Nagar base camp in early hours of tomorrow morning for undertaking yatra through shorter Baltal route as traditional Pahalgam track was yet to be cleared of snow at Mahagunus Top and some other areas.
About 450 pilgrims, who had reached Nunwan forward base camp in Pahalgam anticipating start of pilgrimage tomorrow, have been sent to Baltal by the authorities as no decision has so far been taken by Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) to start yatra through Pahalgam track. A review of track on Pahalgam route is scheduled for June 21.
By 8 pm, about 500 pilgrims had reached Bhagwati Nagar base camp along Canal Road in the City here for joining first batch of pilgrims, which will be flagged off at 5 am tomorrow, official sources said, adding that more pilgrims were pouring in at the base camp and the number would swell by 11 pm.
Some pilgrims were also staying in their private accommodation including hotels and lodges and were expected to join the yatra convoy tomorrow morning amidst tight security arrangements. Few batches of yatris were likely to proceed directly to Baltal from where first batch of yatra for holy cave shrine of Amarnath ji in South Kashmir Himalayas will leave on June 16.
A Yatra Officer at Nunwan base camp said that 447 pilgrims reached Pahalgam yesterday and today unaware of the fact that yatra has not started from traditional route as yet. These pilgrims were sent to Baltal.
According to sources, authorities today succeeded in establishing camps at Sheshnag including medical and other facilities etc. Security forces have already set up their establishments at several places along the track and the cave shrine.
Meanwhile, a SASB hand-out said SASB CEO B B Vyas today again flew-in to holy cave shrine and Panjtarni and reviewed latest situation along with senior Army and Board officers on snow clearance work. He also discussed the relocation of helipads from the holy cave and inspected the proposed site at Panjtarni.
Working on making the sites functional has already begun.
The hand-out said that Governor NN Vohra, who happened to be chairman of SASB, is likely to lead the devotees in ‘Pratham Pujan’ at the sanctum sanctorum.
At Bhagwati Nagar base camp, there was strong enthusiasm among the pilgrims, who were fully geared for starting the yatra tomorrow morning. Many of them were proud of the fact that they were going to become part of the first batch of yatris which will have darshan of holy Ice Lingam of Lord Shiva on June 16.
Our correspondent Aamir Khan adds from Pahalgam: Army today stepped in to augment the track clearance on Baltal route.
The local officials of the Metereological Department today forecast more rains over the next 24 hours in the base camp area around Nunwan and Pahalgam while it is likely to snow in the upper reaches of the area including the holy cave.
"We are locals and know how to negotiate the terrain when it is slippery. But this kind of weather has been witnessed after nearly 15 years and even we are very cautious while moving around," Ghulam Din Khatana, a ponywallah, said.
Khatana said he and his other colleagues were praying for improvement in weather conditions which reminded them of the tragedy that took place several years ago. More than 200 yatris were killed due to inclement weather and landslides in 1996.
Adequate arrangements have been made for the yatris at the Nunwan base camp and the authorities have opened railway and airline ticketing counters for the convenience of the pilgrims.
Weather remains the only stumbling block between the devotees of Lord Shiva and the local residents, who earn their livelihood from their visit.
Meanwhile, with just a day left for the commencement of this year's Shri Amarnathji Yatra from Jammu via Baltal route, the Army has stepped in to augment the track clearance on critical patch from Sangam to the holy cave.
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