Community kitchens abound en route Amarnath cave shrine

Jammu, June 24 : Several community kitchens have constituted at various base camps along the arduous route that leads to the cave shrine at Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir which serve food free of cost to pilgrims.

The community kitchens, known as "langars", have been organised by several non-government and religious organisations and private individuals.

"This year, so many pilgrims are visiting langars. I have not seen this kind of a rush ever before. Over eight to ten thousand pilgrims come to eat their meals here daily," said Guruvar Lal Walia, one of the organisers of a community kitchen.

The pilgrims visiting the kitchens are all praise for the arrangements. Many even found the whole concept of community meals inspiring.

Pilgrims said that the arrangements made by the community kitchens are satisfactory enough and leave no scope for many to complain.

"I can't say that that the government is making arrangements. These langars have made good arrangements. They are doing their best," said Ritu, a devotee.

Some of the community kitchens have even doubled up as medical camps for the benefit of the pilgrims.

Over 200,000 pilgrims participate in the annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine, every year.

ANI