Srinagar: The annual pilgrimage to Amarnath, one of the holiest shrines of Hindus dedicated to Lord Shiva, formally commenced on Thursday with holding of ‘prathan darshan’ and ‘pooja’ rituals at the place of worship nestled in Kashmir Himalayas at a height of 12,729 feet above sea level.
(Photo: PTI)
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Jammu and Kashmir Governor Narendra Nath Vohra who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) and other senior officials also visited the cave-shrine on the opening day of the yatra and paid obeisance at the Sanctum Sanctorum.
(Photo: PTI)
Thursday’s rituals were followed by allowing more than eight thousand devotees including sadhus and many women who had relocated to the base-camp down the cave-shrine after undertaking arduous journeys though rugged hills to have darshan of the Shiv lingam. They were quite happy to find it in full bloom.
(Photo: Showkat Dar)
The yatra has begun simultaneously from both traditional Pahalgam and shorter Baltal routes and, as per official statistics, as many as 6,065 pilgrims had left the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district and 96-km north of Srinagar, while another 2,330 left from the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam earlier to begin their trek towards the cave.
The 59 day pilgrimage which began on Purshotam Purnima, an auspicious day in Hindu calendar, will conclude on August 29 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.
(Photo: Showkat Dar)
Vohra said he prayed for sustained peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in the State. His spouse Usha Vohra and senior SASB officials including CEO P.K.Tripathi and Lt. Gen. Subrata Saha, GOC of Srinagar-based 15 Corps also paid obeisance at the cave-shrine. After his early morning visit to Amarnath, the Governor reviewed the arrangements made for the pilgrims at the yatra shrine camp.
Meanwhile, CEO of the board has once again appealed to the intending pilgrims to embark on the yatra only after getting medically checked and obtaining a valid Yatra Permit.
(Photo: Showkat Dar)
“This would ensure against any avoidable inconvenience to them,” he said adding that the pilgrims must strictly adhere to the Do’s and Don’ts issued by the board “as they have to undertake an arduous trek through high mountain ranges under adverse weather conditions”.
(Photo: PTI)
