SRINAGAR: Over the last 11 days, since it began on July 3, more than two lakh pilgrims have undertaken the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, as another batch of 6, 143 pilgrims departed from Jammu for Kashmir on Monday.
Officials said, “Another batch of 6, 143 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys for the Valley today. First escorted convoy of 100 vehicles carrying 2, 215 Yatris left at 3.30 a.m. for Baltal base camp, while the second escorted convoy of 135 vehicles carrying 3, 928 Yatris left at 4 a.m. for Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp, ” officials said.
Nine Yatris sustained injuries Sunday when four vehicles in the escorted convoy collided with each other in Kulgam district on the Jammu-Srinagar highway. The injured were shifted to the government medical college (GMC) hospital in Anantnag town, where doctors described their condition as stable.
Bhumi Pujan of ‘Chhari Mubarak’ (Lord Shiva’s Holy Mace) was performed at Pahalgam on Thursday. The Chhari Mubarak was taken to Pahalgam by a group of sadhus led by the sole custodian of the Chhari Mubarak, Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, from its seat at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar to Pahalgam.
In Pahalgam, the Chhari Mubarak was taken to the Gauri Shankar temple, where the Bhumi Pujan was held.