Although the ongoing Yatra was temporarily suspended due to heavy rains, 7,500 people received 'darshan' on Saturday, taking the total to 1.59 lakh.
“Due to heavy rain and slippery track conditions, Yatra was temporarily suspended yesterday, yet 7,500 pilgrims had 'darshan' inside the holy cave shrine. Another group of 6,145 Yatris today left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in two escorted convoys towards the Valley,” officials said.
"The first escorted convoy left at 3.10 am with 2,697 Yatris in 115 vehicles towards North Kashmir Baltal Base Camp. The second escorted convoy left at 3.42 am with 3,448 Yatris in 123 vehicles towards Nunwan (Pahalgam) Base Camp. in South Kashmir," officials said. saying.
The Meteorological Department (MeT) has forecast partly cloudy weather on both Yatra routes with possibility of intermittent light rain and thundershowers during the day.
The Yatris take the traditional 48 km long Pahalgam route or the shorter 14 km long Baltal route to perform the Yatra.
Those who use the Pahalgam route take four days to reach the cave shrine, while those who take the Baltal route return to the base camp on the same day after having 'darshan' inside the cave shrine.
The cave sanctuary located 3,888 meters above sea level houses an ice stalagmite structure that waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon.
Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolizes the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
This year, extensive security measures have been taken along the nearly 300 km of the Jammu-Srinagar highway, on the twin Yatra routes, the two base camps and the cave sanctuary to ensure an incident-free Yatra.
More than 124 “langars” (community kitchens) have been set up along the routes and also in the transit camps and in the cave sanctuary. More than 7,000 'Sevadars' (volunteers) are serving the Yatris during this year's Yatra.
Helicopter services are also available for Yatris on both routes.
“Due to heavy rain and slippery track conditions, Yatra was temporarily suspended yesterday, yet 7,500 pilgrims had 'darshan' inside the holy cave shrine. Another group of 6,145 Yatris today left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in two escorted convoys towards the Valley,” officials said.
"The first escorted convoy left at 3.10 am with 2,697 Yatris in 115 vehicles towards North Kashmir Baltal Base Camp. The second escorted convoy left at 3.42 am with 3,448 Yatris in 123 vehicles towards Nunwan (Pahalgam) Base Camp. in South Kashmir," officials said. saying.
The Meteorological Department (MeT) has forecast partly cloudy weather on both Yatra routes with possibility of intermittent light rain and thundershowers during the day.
The Yatris take the traditional 48 km long Pahalgam route or the shorter 14 km long Baltal route to perform the Yatra.
Those who use the Pahalgam route take four days to reach the cave shrine, while those who take the Baltal route return to the base camp on the same day after having 'darshan' inside the cave shrine.
The cave sanctuary located 3,888 meters above sea level houses an ice stalagmite structure that waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon.
Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolizes the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
This year, extensive security measures have been taken along the nearly 300 km of the Jammu-Srinagar highway, on the twin Yatra routes, the two base camps and the cave sanctuary to ensure an incident-free Yatra.
More than 124 “langars” (community kitchens) have been set up along the routes and also in the transit camps and in the cave sanctuary. More than 7,000 'Sevadars' (volunteers) are serving the Yatris during this year's Yatra.
Helicopter services are also available for Yatris on both routes.
