Helicopter Service for Pilgrims on Both Amarnath Yatra Routes
Since the Amarnath Yatra began on June 29, 51,000 devotees have participated, with another batch of 6,537 pilgrims departing for Kashmir in two escorted convoys on Tuesday.
Officials reported that the 6,537 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the Valley.
“Of these, 2,106 devotees left in an escorted convoy of 105 vehicles at 3:05 a.m. for the Baltal base camp, while 4,431 pilgrims departed at 3:50 a.m. in 156 vehicles for the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp,” officials said.
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The Meteorological Department has forecast generally cloudy weather on both Yatra routes with light rain or thunder in the morning.
Pilgrims take either the 48 km traditional Pahalgam cave shrine route or the shorter 14 km Baltal route to perform the Yatra. Those using the Pahalgam route take four days to reach the cave shrine, while those on the Baltal route return to the base camp the same day after having ‘darshan’ inside the cave shrine.
The cave shrine, located 3,888 meters above sea level, houses an ice stalagmite structure that waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe the ice stalagmite symbolizes the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
Extensive security arrangements made this year along the nearly 300 km Jammu-Srinagar highway, the two Yatra routes, the base camps, and the cave shrine to ensure a smooth, incident-free Yatra.
Over 124 ‘langars’ (community kitchens) have been set up along both routes, at the transit camps, and at the cave shrine. More than 7,000 ‘Sevadars’ (volunteers) are serving the Yatris during this year’s Yatra.
To manage the rush of Yatris, the Railways have decided to add additional trains starting July 3. Helicopter services are also available for Yatris on both routes.
