Fresh group of pilgrims sets off for Amarnath shrine from Pantha Chowk yatra base camp
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), August 1: On Tuesday morning, a fresh group of pilgrims embarked on their journey to the Amarnath cave shrine from the Pantha Chowk yatra base camp in Srinagar.
The pilgrims, on their way to pay their respects at the Amarnath cave shrine, enthusiastically chanted 'Bam Bam Bhole' slogans. They will be using the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal to reach the Amarnath cave shrine. On the other hand, another batch of pilgrims, upon their return to Srinagar after completing their pilgrimage and offering their respects at the cave shrine, praised the Jammu and Kashmir administration for the well-organised arrangements made for their yatra.
A devotee said, "The pilgrimage to the cave proved to be satisfactory. The government had made all necessary arrangements. I want to thank the government and the jawans of the Indian Army".
Officials said the total number of devotees participating in this year's Amarnath Yatra had exceeded the number of pilgrims from the last year. "A total of 9,150 devotees took darshan at the Amarnath Cave shrine on July 27, taking the cumulative figure of devotees to 369,288. This surpasses last year's total of 365,721 devotees taking the yatra," they said.
An official statement earlier informed that since the influx of pilgrims was swelling with every passing day, the government made sure that transportation facilities be provided from Jammu to base camps in Kashmir.
The Amarnath Yatra-2023 has also witnessed a significant increase in the number of foreign pilgrims visiting the holy shrine. The pilgrimage's allure extends beyond national boundaries, drawing people from all over the world to partake in this spiritually enriching experience.
Two California, USA citizens, a Ukrainian woman, a group of 35 Nepali citizens and 30 citizens from Malaysia are among the pilgrims who paid obeisance at the holy cave of Amarnath.
The annual Amarnath Yatra began on July 1. The 62-day pilgrimage will culminate on August 31.
- ANI
