The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Saturday, July 20, 2002, Chandigarh, India

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2,683 pilgrims reach Pahalgam
Tribune News Service

The first batch of pilgrims waving to photographers as they leave for the Amarnath yatra in Jammu on Friday.
— PTI photo

Srinagar, July 19
The first batch of 2,683 pilgrims to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath arrived in Pahalgam from Jammu this evening. Tight security arrangements have been made along the yatra route from Khananbal to the holy cave shrine for the annual pilgrimage, scheduled to conclude on August 22 coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan.

After a night’s stay in Pahalgam, the batch will proceed towards the holy cave tomorrow morning and it will have ‘darshan’ of the ice Lingam of Lord Shiva at the cave on Monday. Another batch of over 500 pilgrims left here for Baltal today. They will reach the cave tomorrow.

According to a statement of the Mahant Deependra Giri, rituals and religious ceremonies connected with Chhari Mubarak, the holy mace of Lord Shiva, would start with Bhoomi Pujan and Dhwajarohan at Pahalgam on July 24.

Mahant Deependra Giri, Mahant Chhari Mubarak Swami Amarnath conveyed his good wishes and blessings to the first batch of pilgrims who arrived in Pahalgam and Baltal today, and to all those joining the yatra in the coming days.

In a statement, the Mahant has appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly residents of Jammu, Srinagar and Anantnag districts to assist the pilgrims, who come here from across the country and even abroad to profess faith in Lord Shiva, in the best possible way setting an example of communal harmony like yesteryear.

Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr Parvez Dewan, has clarified that all langar operators had been permitted to provide accommodation to the Amarnath pilgrims in tents on charitable basis at all camps along the yatra route.

The Minister of State for Tourism, Ms Sakina Itoo, who reviewed arrangements of essential commodities for the Amarnath pilgrimage, at a meeting today exhorted the officers to ensure regular water and electricity at all halting stations en route to the holy cave including Pahalgam.