Baltal route closed, holy mace to leave for cave today

Srinagar, Aug 6 (UNI) The Amarnath yatra from the shortest Baltal route has been suspended following heavy rains, while the ''chhari mubarak'' (holy mace) will leave the base camp Pahalgam for the cave shrine this afternoon.

Yesterday, no yatri was allowed from Pahalgam route after the 48-km track became slippery due to heavy rains.

Officials said that the ''charri mubarak'', accompanied by a good number of sadhus and other pilgrims, led by Mahant Deepender Giri, will leave Pahalgam in the afternoon for the next halting point Chandanwari.

All the yatris are safe and are being looked after by the yatra officials at different halting points, official said.

They said the final darshan will be held on August 9 and no yatri will be allowed to undertake the pilgrims from any route after the Raksha Bandan Day.

The Baltal route has been closed as the 10-km track has become very slippery and dangerous because of heavy rains.

The helicopter service was also suspended yesterday due to bad weather.

The Holy Mace will return to base camp Pahalgam on August 9 evening where pooja will be performed before bringing it back to Srinagar, Mahanat Giri, the custodian of the Mace told mediapersons here shortly before leaving for Pahalgam.

Official sources said about 2.90 lakh pilgrims have so far had the 'darshan' of the holy Shivlingam in the cave shrine despite threat perception.

However, the number of pilgrims this time is very less as compared to last year when more than 4.5 lakh pilgrims had visited.

About 45 pilgrims from different parts of the country have died due to various reasons since the start of the pilgrimage. Two local labourers also died during the pilgrimage.

UNI BAS MSJ VC1110