Jammu, August 4, 2013: As pilgrimage to holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath ji in South Kashmir Himalayas of Anantnag completed 35-days, 1602 yatris performed darshan today in the shrine and paid obeisance to Lord Shiva.
A new batch of 774 pilgrims left Baltal and Nunwan base camps for holy shrine, where 3,42,556 pilgrims had paid obeisance till this evening since the commencement of annual 55-days pilgrimage on June 28.
Meanwhile, Chhari Mubarak, Holy Silver Mace of Lord Shiva will be taken to Shankaracharya temple on August 6 from Dashnami Akhara.
After offering prayers, which will be led by Mahant Deepender Giri, custodian of the Chhari Mubarak, the Holy Mace will be brought back to Dashnami Akhara in the evening.
A yatra official said the pilgrimage was going on smoothly as the weather on both tracks was pleasant.
He said 418 pilgrims including women and Sadhus, left Baltal base camp this morning for the holy cave. Similarly those who had night halt at cave also started their return journey to Baltal.
He said 356 pilgrims also left Nunwan, Pahalgam base camp for the cave shrine this morning. However, they will have night halt at Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional route.
A fresh batch of 217 pilgrims today left for the holy cave shrine in from Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar base camp.
“A batch comprising 135 males, 31 females, a child and 50 Sadhus this morning left for the Amarnath cave shrine from here in a convoy of eight vehicles including private and SRTC buses,” reports said.

Source: The Daily Excelsior.com