By IANS,
Srinagar: The annual Hindu pilgrimage to the Himalayan cave shrine of Amarnath, which draws thousands of devotees every year, concluded here Wednesday.
This year’s yatra concluded peacefully as the chief priest Deepinder Giri led the ascetics carrying the Holy Mace of Lord Shiva to the cave shrine in the morning after a night halt at Panjtarni amidst chanting of religious hymns.
Around 400,000 pilgrims visited the Amarnath shrine, which houses an ice stalagmite believed to be an icon of Lord Shiva, during the two-month-long pilgrimage.
Governor N.N. Vohra, who is the chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), took part on the special prayers at the cave shrine and prayed for peace and brotherhood in the state.
Expressing satisfaction over the smooth conduct of this year’s yatra, Vohra complimented all the agencies, organisations, state government departments and the people of the state for making the “yatra a satisfying and memorable experience for thousands of pilgrims…during the past over 50 days”.
He had a special praise for the close cooperation between the security forces, the civil and police administration, the local population and the SASB in ensuring a hassle-free yatra.
The yatra, which was earlier to commence June 7, had to be re-scheduled due to inclement weather and accumulated snow on the tracks.
The traditional Pahalgam route remained precarious for prolonged durations due to heavy snow between Pissu Top and Poshpathri and intermittent snow even in July.
A spokesman of the SASB said 44 pilgrims – 35 men and nine women – had lost their lives due to natural causes during the yatra this year.