Two month long Amarnath Yatra ends

{image-amarnath yatra_16082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Jammu, Aug 16: The two month long pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine in Kashmir came to an end on Saturday, Aug 16. Coinciding with 'Rakhsha Bandan', the Holy mace of Lord Shiva reached the 3,880 metre high holy cave shrine of Amarnath Saturday, Aug 16 morning. Accompanied by over 250 sadhus, the 'Charri Mubarak' was offered prayer at the cave shrine.

According to official sources, a record number of nearly 5.50 lakh pilgrims offered prayers at the holy cave this year. Earlier in 2004, over four lakh pilgrims offered prayers at the cave shrine. A total of 68 persons died, mostly of natural causes, during the pilgrimage this year.

Every year a large number of devotees trek the steep, slippery 48-km route to reach the Amarnath cave shrine, which stands at a height of nearly 12,500 feet above sea level.

ANI