Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2009
Yatra Commences on Traditional Pahalgam Route
11676 Yatris performed Darshan via Baltal Track yesterday,
1410 leave from Jammu for pilgrimage

Srinagar, June 26 – The annual Shri Amarnathji Yatra commenced from the traditional Pahalgam route also from today, even as the pilgrimage is already progressing smoothly on the Baltal route from June 16. According to a Spokesperson of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, 11,676 pilgrims had darshan at the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji yesterday, while another batch of 7,500 pilgrims left the Baltal Base Camp early in the morning today for the Holy Cave.

The Spokesperson said that the first batch of 1,410 pilgrims from Jammu left today for their onward journey to the Holy Cave via Pahalgam and Baltal routes. He added that, in the meanwhile, a batch of 1415 pilgrims who were camping at the Nunwan Base Camp were allowed to proceed to the Holy Cave this morning via the traditional Chandanwari route.

Meanwhile, the Board has once again appealed to the intending pilgrims registered for the Pahalgam route to keep adequate flexibility in their travel plans as only 2000 registered pilgrims per day would be permitted in the initial phase to proceed on the Yatra on “first come first serve basis” on the traditional Pahalgam-Chandanwari-Holy Cave route, in view of the track and weather conditions. He reiterated that no old or infirm person and children below the age of 12 years will be permitted to undertake the Yatra on the Sheshnag route in view of the recent weather conditions and the difficult snow route. The lady pilgrims have been advised to avoid undertaking the Yatra on this route, at least for the next seven days or so. He urged upon the pilgrims to cooperate with the authorities for the proper regulation of the Yatra as the safety and security of the Yatris is the prime and paramount concern of the Shrine Board and the Government.

The Spokesperson once again drew attention to the advisories issued to the pilgrims in the past weeks and emphasized the need for every Yatri carrying proper warm clothing, adding that this shall be mandatory, and no Yatri shall be permitted to go beyond Chandanwari without being properly equipped. He reiterated that Registration Slips will be checked at Nunwan and Chandanwari and no unregistered pilgrim shall be allowed to proceed on the Yatra.

The Spokesperson said that 75 labourers have been deployed by the Shrine Board and are working round the clock for further improvement to the track. During the last 24 hours, the stretch of track from Sheshnag to Wavbal has been made fully operational.

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