Shri Amarnathji Yatra-2009: Vyas Purnima observed with religious gaiety at Amarnath Cave

Holy Cave(Pahalgam), July 07: Vyas Purnima, also known as Guru Puranmashi, was marked by a special Pooja at the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji early this morning with devotees chanting religious hymns and paying obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum.

The Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, B. B. Vyas, accompanied by Madan Mantoo, Additional Chief Executive Officer of the Board, Dr. C. M. Seth, Environment Consultant of the Board, K. G. Bamba, General Manager Works of the Board, and other officers of the Civil Administration and the Shrine Board joined the devotees in offering Pooja in the spiritual ambience of the Holy Cave and the devotees praying for peace and universal brotherhood. In the yester years, from times immemorial, the Vyas Purnima marked the commencement of the annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnathji in the Himalayan region of Kashmir.

A large number of devotees kept thronging the Cave Shrine from the Baltal and the traditional route of Pahalgam on the 22nd day of the Yatra today. Groups of Yatris reciting Shiv Sutras climbed upto the sanctum sanctorum from the wee hours this morning to perform darshan.

Vyas discussed the arrangements made in the Holy Cave periphery, particularly with regard to the cleanliness and sanitation, with the officers of the Shrine Board and the Civil Administration. He also took stock of the facilities being provided by the various utility departments, especially the health services. He stressed the crucial importance of providing timely medical assistance to the ailing pilgrims all along the high altitude track, and informed that the Shrine Board was organizing prompt air-rescue of the critically ill Yatris. So far, seven such rescues by helicopters have been organized by the Board.

Later, the Chief Executive Officer took an extensive round of the Baltal Base Camp and reviewed the functioning of various service providers. He discussed with the local officers the arrangements put in place for the smooth conduct of the Yatra.

Vyas also interacted with the pilgrims and enquired about the arrangements made for them at the Base Camps, enroute and in the Holy Cave area who generally appreciated the arrangements made by the Shrine Board, the Civil Administration and the Security Forces for ensuring a smooth Yatra.

Meanwhile, a Spokesperson of the SASB said that the pilgrimage to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji is progressing smoothly on both the routes, adding that well over two lakh pilgrims had performed darshan at the Holy Cave Shrine so far since the commencement of this year’s pilgrimage on 16th June from Baltal and 26th June from Pahalgam.

The Spokesperson added that 3000 pilgrims left from the Nunwan Base Camp and 4929 from the Baltal Base Camp to the Holy Cave this morning.

Similarly, another batch of 1920 Yatris left from Jammu for the Nunwan and Baltal Base Camps today, he added.(NAK)