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Amarnath Yatra suspended from Jammu

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 7/14/2019 3:01:28 PM

JAMMU, Jul 13: The Amarnath Yatra was on Saturday suspended from Bhagwati Nagar based Yatri Niwas base camp, here and no fresh batch left for the cave shrine in view of restrictions imposed in the valley on Martyrs’ Day.
“As restrictions are imposed in the Valley on Saturday in view of Martyrs’ day, the Yatra was suspended from as preventive measure,” officials said. They said that the fresh batch would be allowed only after directions issued from the higher authorities.
On Friday, 5395 pilgrims left from the base camp here while so far, 58,427 registered pilgrims have officially left from Jammu for the cave shrine.
“Taking stock of the law and order situation because the protest shutdown called by the separatists today, movement of the pilgrims from Jammu to Srinagar remained suspended today,” police sources said. July 13 is observed as Martyrs Day in Jammu and Kashmir to remember those killed in the firing outside the Srinagar Central Jail by forces of the Dogra Maharaja in 1931. The state government observes the day to honour those who fought for Independence in 1947.
Since the annual pilgrimage to the Himalayan cave shrine started on July 1, over 1.50 lakh pilgrims performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra so far.
The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva, according to the devotees. The structure waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon. Pilgrims approach the shrine either from the shorter 14 km-long Baltal trek or through the longer 45 km Pahalgam trek. Helicopter services are also available for pilgrims at both base camps. The Cave shrine was discovered in 1850 by a Muslim Shepherd, Buta Malik. Descendants of the shepherd have received a portion of the offerings from the cave shrine for over 150 years.
This year's Amarnath Yatra will end on August 15 coinciding with the Shravan Purnima festival.