PAHALGAM, June 25: Hundreds of saffron-clad Hindu pilgrims chanted religious songs as they trudged on Monday to a cave shrine deep in Kashmir, undeterred by frozen snow and cold weather.
“The pooja was held inside the cave shrine this morning, marking the beginning of this year’s yatra to the holy cave of Amarnathji,” Chief Executive Officer Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) Naveen K Chaudhury said.
Soldiers in battle fatigues frisked the pilgrims, led by ash-smeared, half-naked Sadhus, and checked for landmines on a muddy track at the start of the annual trek to the 12,500-feet (3,875 metre) high Amarnath shrine.
“Faith has brought me here. I will pray for peace and sanity … God will protect us,” 65-year-old Jotshana Natwarlal said.
Several hundred pilgrims took an alternative route to the cave, on foot or horses, to worship an ice Lingum (stalagmite)-the symbol of Lord Shiva.
Officials say over 350,000 have registered this year for the pilgrimage that skirts icy streams and glacier-fed lakes and winds through dense pine forests.
The holy trek has been the target of several attacks by separatist guerrillas. At least 50 people have been killed in attacks on pilgrims since 2000.
“I am not scared, death will come when it is destined,” said Kuldeep Pawar, a bank employee from the desert state of Rajasthan as he joined a group of pilgrims as they sang.
Thousands of security force personnel are guarding the pilgrimage route starting in Jammu, winter capital of Kashmir.
According to Kashmiri legend, the cave shrine was discovered 400 years ago by a Muslim shepherd, Adam Malik. His descendants would receive a share of cash and other offerings made by devotees to the Hindu god at the cave.
But according to media reports Shrine officials have stopped it.
