City
Epaper

Over 5K pilgrims leave Jammu on Amarnath Yatra

By IANS | Published: July 11, 2019 7:34 AM

Another batch of 5,486 pilgrims on Thursday left winter capital Jammu to perform the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.

Open in App

Since it started on July 1, over 1.30 lakh pilgrims had 'Darshan' inside the Cave shrine situated 3,888 metres above the sea-level in Kashmir Himalayas.

The Cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that symbolises mythical powers of Lord Shiva according to the devotees.

The ice stalagmite structure waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon.

Police said here on Thursday another batch of 5,486 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys for the Valley today.

"Of these, 2,129 Yatris are going to Baltal base camp while 3,357 are going to Pahalgam base camp," police said.

Pilgrims approach the Cave shrine either from the shorter 14-Kms long Baltal trek or through the longer 45-Kms long Pahalgam trek.

Helicopter services are also available for pilgrims at both the base camps.

Local Muslims have always lent a helping hand to ensure that their Hindu brethren are able to perform the Yatra with ease and convenience.

Acknowledging this, state governor, Satya Pal Malik said the smooth and peaceful conduct of the Amarnath Yatra has been possible because of the support and active engagement of the local Muslims.

The Cave shrine was discovered in 1,850 by a Muslim Shepherd, Buta Malik.

Legend says a Sufi saint rewarded the shepherd with a bag of charcoal that turned out to be gold.

Descendants of the shepherd have received a portion of the offerings at the Cave shrine for over 150 years.

This year's Amarnath Yatra will end on August 15 coinciding with the Shravan Purnima festival.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: Satya Pal MalikBaltalPahalgam
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalClimate Forecast: Light Rain, Snow at Scattered Places in J&K

NationalI was locked in room when bodies of Pulwama martyrs were coming, says Rahul Gandhi

NationalAmit Shah hails NDRF, SDRF team for providing safe Amarnath Yatra to pilgrims

NationalAmarnath Yatra: Mountain Rescue Teams of J-K Police conduct mock drills on yatra routes

NationalJ-K: LG Manoj Sinha flags off the first batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims

National Realted Stories

NationalHeat stroke claims 3 more lives in Jaipur

National'A non issue', Odisha CM reacts to BJP's jibe over 'controlling hand' after video with Pandian goes viral

NationalRajasthan: Hospital's registration cancelled after doc removes wrong kidney

NationalMani Shankar Aiyar stirs new row by terming 1962 Chinese invasion 'alleged', BJP hits out at Congress

NationalSizzling Rajasthan: Churu breaches 50-degree C mark, Pilani reels at 49-degree C