Undeterred by history of attacks, pilgrims prepare for Amarnath Yatra

Undeterred by instances of violence and terrorist attacks in the past, pilgrims and organisers are gearing up for the Amarnath Yatra that is scheduled to begin on July 3.

Besides coordinating with the authorities at the Cave Shrine, the enthusiasts have started collecting ration, beddings, medicines and other paraphernalia required for organising camps and bhandaras at Baltal.

Inderpal Singh Walia, chairman of the Ahmedgarh unit of the Har Har Mahadev Seva Dal, Bathinda, said, “Having received guidelines from the headquarters we have already started collecting ration, medicines etc for organising camps at Baltal, permission for which has already been received.” He said trucks carrying the ration would be flagged off from the local grain market on Tuesday.

Deepak Sharma, an office-bearer of local branch of Shree Hanuman Mandir Langar Committee, Malerkotla, said devotees were undeterred by the news of violence and terror attacks taking place in Jammu and Kashmir during the past years. He said even members of non-Hindu organisations had come forward to contribute in the project.

Reiterating faith in the Baba Barfani, enthusiasts appreciated that the authorities at Amarnath had made elaborate security arrangements, deploying more than 50,000 security personnel to secure both routes leading to the shrine.

Considered one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimages, the yatra is scheduled to commence on July 3 and conclude on August 9.

The Pahalgam terror attack has made the pilgrimage carry added significance. Devotees said the attack had not dampened their spirit.

Located at an altitude of 3,880 metres in Jammu and Kashmir, the shrine draws thousands of pilgrims every year. The yatra follows two routes, a steeper 14 km path from Baltal; and a longer, but shallower, 48 km route from Pahalgam.

Pilgrims believe that despite a history of violence, comprehensive security planning, real time surveillance and enhanced coordination will not allow their faith to shatter this year, too.

The attack on a bus carrying devotees in July 2017, the August 2000 Nunwan base camp attack, Sheshnag Lake attack in 2001 and over 150 pilgrims receiving injuries during the past two decades, besides the recent Pahalgam attack were cited among the incidents which could have discouraged the devotees from undertaking the yatra this year.

Ludhiana