The annual Amarnath yatra was suspended from Jammu base camp on Wednesday as inclement weather left thousands of pilgrims stranded for the second day at Baltal.
"No fresh batch was allowed to go to Baltal base camp from Jammu on Wednesday because of bad weather. The yatra was suspended on Tuesday for similar reasons," police said.
As the yatra remained suspended for the second day today, over 2,500 pilgrims remained stranded at the base camp here. Besides, over 1,000 pilgrims were stopped at Kathua.
The Jammu and Kashmir government and Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has set up three base camps at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu, Nunwan in Pahalgam and Baltal for providing food and lodging facilities to pilgrims visiting the cave shrine.
The yatra started on Tuesday from Baltal after 'Pratham Pooja' was performed by Additional CEO of SASB Madan Mantoo.
Over 6,000 pilgrims, who could leave in the first batch, paid obeisance at the holy ice lingam of Lord Shiva in the cave shrine this morning.
Although, over 10,000 devotees had on Tuesday left from Baltal base camp for the cave shrine, over 4,000 pilgrims had to return from Brari Marg area as only 5,000 people can walk through the narrow track at a time.
Over 20,000 pilgrims have reached Baltal till last evening and authorities are trying to clear the rush so that the yatra can be resumed, SASB officials said.
{{/usCountry}}Over 20,000 pilgrims have reached Baltal till last evening and authorities are trying to clear the rush so that the yatra can be resumed, SASB officials said.
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