With the annual Amarnathji Yatra beginning on Saturday, nearly 9,000 pilgrims arrived in the valley from Jammu for the ‘pratham darshan.’
State Tourism Minister Ghulam Ahmad Mir flagged off the first batch of 1,160 pilgrims at Baghwati Nagar in Jammu amid tight security and chanting of hymns.
Traffic Police said that the Yatra convoy had crossed the Jawahar Tunnel by 8.00 p.m. According to Anantnag Superintendent of Police Sheikh Junaid, only 100 to 150 pilgrims headed to Pahalgam. Most were booked on the helicopter services to be operated from Pahalgam to the holy cave. Mr. Junaid told The Hindu that the pedestrian track from Pahalgam to Sheshnag was clear, but it was covered under a thick carpet of snow from Mahagunus onwards.
Mr. Junaid said that as per the decision of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), headed by Governor N.N. Vohra, all the surface pilgrims registered for June 28, 29 and 30 were being diverted via Baltal route as the Pahalgam track was not operational. On Monday, the Governor would review the situation after an aerial survey of the whole track. “Six to eight inches of snow are melting a day. I hope, the Pahalgam route clears for pilgrimage by June 30,” Mr. Junaid said.
SP of Ganderbal Shahid Meraj Rather said that 6,500 pilgrims reached his area by 6.30 p.m.
