Amarnath pilgrimage suspended; devotees stranded

Srinagar, July 13 (UNI) The Amarnath pilgrimage has been suspended from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes following heavy rains and snowfall at various points on way to the holy cave shrine since yesterday, leaving several hundred devotees stranded, official sources said today.

This is second time since the commencement of the two-month-long pilgrimage on June 11 that it has been suspended due to incessant rains and heavy snowfall.

Hours after it began on June 11, the pilgrimage was suspended for about seven days.

The sources said heavy rains and snowfall had been recorded at various halting points enroute the holy cave shrine of amarnath from both the traditional Pahalgam and shorter Baltal tracks since yesterday.

They said while ten cm snowfall was received at Mahagunas Top, six cm was recorded at Wavbal enroute the holy cave shrine.

Heavy snowfall was still being witnessed at Sheshnag, Panjhtarni and Sangam Top when reports last came in.

The sources said the pilgrimage would be resumed from both the routes only after weather conditions improved.

They said hundreds of devotees were stranded at base camps and various halting points enroute the holy cave shrine.

However, the sources said no pilgrim was allowed to move beyond Pahalgam and Baltal since yesterday.

UNI AG VA RN1345