Jammu, Jul 30: Officials said A fresh batch of 1,974 pilgrims, including 363 women, left Jammu city in a convoy of 85 vehicles early Sunday for the twin base camps in Kashmir to perform the annual Amarnath pilgrimage.The 3,880-meter-high holy cave sanctuary in the south Kashmir Himalayas, where the ice-shivlingam had naturally developed, was where the decrease in pilgrim foot traffic was attributed.
Since the 62-day yatra’s start on July 1, more than 3.85 lakh pilgrims have already made their way to the temple to offer their respects.
The sacred mace of Lord Shiva is expected to arrive at the shrine on “Shravan Purnima,” which falls on August 31 and coincides with the Raksha Bandhan festival.An official reported that between 3.30 and 3.45 am, a convoy of 85 vehicles, including security vehicles, departed Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu for Kashmir, carrying 1,974 pilgrims, including 45 Sadhus and 16 Sadhvis.
According to them, 564 pilgrims are travelling the 14-km Baltal path in Ganderbal district, while 1,410 pilgrims are performing the yatra along the customary 48-km Pahalgam track in Anantnag district.Since the first batch was flagged off by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on June 30, this was the lowest-strength batch of Lord Shiva devotees departing the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu.
To date, 42 people—mostly pilgrims—have perished during the yatra this year. An officer of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) who was assigned to yatra duty is one of the victims.
One of the most frequent causes of death among pilgrims and security personnel stationed there is cardiac arrest brought on by low oxygen concentration at high elevations.
