Amarnath Yatra: Over 5 lakh pay obeisance at Lord Shiva cave shrine so far

Srinagar, August 6

The number of pilgrims, who paid obeisance to Lord Shiva at Amarnath cave shrine in South Kashmir in this year’s yatra, has crossed the five-lakh mark as more than 2,800 pilgrims visited the naturally formed ice ‘lingam’ on Tuesday. The 52-day pilgrimage, which started on June 29, will conclude on August 19.

According to officials, 2,813 pilgrims paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre high cave shrine on Tuesday. This has taken the number of pilgrims this year to 5,00,105.

The officials said 1,500 male pilgrims, 618 female pilgrims, 65 sadhus and two sadhvis were among those who paid obeisance at the cave shrine.

Over 570 security forces and 57 children also performed the pilgrimage. According to the officials, there have been two deaths - a sevadar from Haryana and a pilgrim from Jharkhand - in this year’s yatra. They suffered cardiac arrest along the Baltal route in June.

Yatra to be allowed only through Baltal

Srinagar: The ongoing Amarnath Yatra will be allowed only on Baltal route as traditional route through Pahalgam will remain closed for maintenance works from Wednesday, a statement said. — PTI