Nearly 3.54 lakh Yatris visited the Holy Cave
SRINAGAR: The Amarnath pilgrimage, one of the holiest for Hindus of the country, has concluded, fifty-five days after it commenced in the Kashmir Himalayas.
A group of sadhus, or half-naked Hindu Godmen smeared with ash, carried the mace of their deity, Lord Shiva to the 3,880m high cave shrine.
The shrine houses the SHivlingam, a naturally formed ice stalagmite, believed to be an icon of Shiva.
Governor and ex-officio chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) attended the concluding prayers.
Nearly 3.54 lakh pilgrims from different parts of the country paid obeisance at the cave during the pilgrimage period, officials said. At least fifteen of them died of health reasons while trekking the mountainous route, which passes through frozen streams and glaciers.
The number of yatris this year was about 50 per cent less as compared to last year when more than 6.50 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine.
The Uttarakhand tragedy is being considered a major factor for drop in the number of pilgrims this time.
However, some of the measures taken by the SASB for the security of pilgrims, also affected the number of yatris.
The SASB had made it compulsory for all pilgrims to get themselves medically examined by a registered doctor before starting their pilgrimage.
It was also decided not to allow any unregistered yatri and pilgrims below the age of 13 years or above 75 years.
