Decision to start Amarnath yatra on July 1

Srinagar, June 30: The two-month-long pilgrimage to holy Amarnath cave shrine, scheduled to start officially from today, could not take off following heavy rains making both tracks-- traditional Pahalgam and shortest Baltal-- slippery and dangerous.

Jammu and Kashmir governor Lt General (Retd) S K Sinha, also the chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), was scheduled to perform 'pratham pujan (first prayers)' in the cave, postponed his visit due to bad weather in the cave periphery.

SASB spokesperson Madan Mantoo told sources that because of rains and poor visibility in the cave periphery, the governor could not visit the shrine today.

He said subject to weather condition, General Sinha will now perform the Pratham Pujan tomorrow and the decision to start the holy pilgrimage will be taken only after receiving full report from the yatra officers of Baltal and Pahalgam.

He said the track has become slippery and it was dangerous to allow pilgrims to move ahead towards the cave shrine.

Once we get a green signal, the yatra will be allowed on both the tracks, Mr Mantoo said.

The pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas was scheduled to commence simultaneously from Pahalgam and Baltal routes on Vrat Purnima today to end on Shravan Purnima on August 28, the Raksha Bandhan.

The holy cave and the Pahalgam and Baltal areas have been witnessing heavy and incessant rains since Thursday afternoon, making the tracks slippery and dangerous.

He said there are adequate arrangements for the pilgrims at all halting points besides at cave shrine and both the base camps.

UNI