Yatra begins on the Baltal route
No batch of Shri Amarnath Yatris to leave from Jammu on
June 17 in view of adverse weather conditions

Srinagar, June16 – A Spokesperson of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board stated today that, keeping in view the incessant rain and adverse weather conditions, no batch of Yatris has left from Jammu today for the Baltal Base Camp. On June 17th also the pilgrims arriving at Jammu have been advised to wait in Jammu and join the batch which is scheduled to leave on Thursday, the 18th June, 2009, subject to an improvement in the existing weather conditions.

	Lord Shiva in the form of a Lingam at Shri Amarnathji Holy Cave.

The Spokesperson said that managing the movement of Yatris across the Banihal is necessary in view of the already huge rush of Yatris at Baltal, Manigam, Mirbazar, Nunwan (Pahalgam) and other places enroute. He said that as the Meteorological Department has forecast rain and snow for today, the Yatris are requested to appreciate that the changes in the Yatra schedule are compelled by factors beyond the Board’s control. He urged the intending Yatris to cooperate with the Shrine Board and the Government machinery to enable proper regulation of the Yatra, particularly as ensuring the safety and security of Yatris is the prime and paramount concern of the Board.

The Spokesperson further advised the Yatris to proceed on the Yatra only after checking up the weather and track conditions at various Camps and offices set up by the Board such as Yatri Niwas Jammu, TRC Jammu, Mirbazar Anantnag, TRC Srinagar and Manigam Camp.

In the meantime, Pratham Poojan was performed at the Holy Cave this morning by the Additional CEO and the Camp Director of the Board amid chanting of religious hymns and prayers before the Holy Cave was opened up to the pilgrims for darshans, who had left Baltal Base Camp in the early hours this morning. As per reports last received, it was snowing at the Holy Cave.

The Spokesperson also added that His Excellency the Governor, Shri N. N. Vohra, who is the Chairman of the Board, and the Chief Executive Officer, Shri B. B. Vyas, who were scheduled to visit the Holy Cave for Pratham Darshan and Inaugural Ceremony for the Yatra could not reach the Holy Cave today due to adverse weather conditions. The Chairman and CEO are now scheduled to visit the Holy Cave tomorrow, if the weather permits helicopter services to operate.

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