Pilgrimage resumes from Pahalgam, remains suspended from Baltal

Srinagar: Pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas was resumed from traditional Pahalgam while it remained suspended from shortest Baltal route due to slippery conditions and bad weather.
A yatra official told KMW over phone from Pahalgam that yatra was resumed from this route after a delay of more than three hours.
“We allowed the yatris to move towards Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on this route, after receiving information about improvement in the weather,” he said.
He said the yatris, who had night halts at different halting stations, have also started their march towards their respective destinations.
However, no yatri from the base camp were allowed today, a yatra official told UNI over phone from Baltal.
He said the track was slippery due to heavy rains. Decision to allow the pilgrims to move towards the holy cave shrine will be taken only after improvement in the weather and green signal from officials deployed at different points.
More than 3.30 lakh pilgrims had darshan of the self made ice Shivlingam in the cave shrine, situated at 13500 feet, since the commencement of the 46-day-long pilgrimage on June 29.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), has reiterated his advice that all those who intend to visit the Holy Cave should, in their own interest, ascertain the to-date weather conditions in the Yatra area before embarking on the pilgrimage, in view of the generally cloudy sky with rain and thundershowers expected during the next five days, from today in the Kashmir Division.
He said according to the Met Department forecast today July 17 will be generally cloudy with light rain and thundershowers, and light rain at isolated places is likely on July 18 and 19, in the Kashmir Division.
He said the details of weather forecast are available on the website (www.amssdelhi.gov.in) of the Indian Meteorological Department.
The CEO also urged all intending pilgrims to get themselves medically checked. Those with any orthopedic problem, chest or lung ailment or any cardiac deficiency have been advised against undertaking this arduous Yatra which involves tracking upto 14,000 feet.