SRINAGAR, JULY 24: On the 24th day of the ongoing Shri Amarnathji Yatra, 7,778 Yatris paid obeisance at the Holy Cave and cumulatively since the beginning of the pilgrimage on 1st July 2019, 3,01,818 Yatris had darshan at the Holy Cave.
Umang Narula, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board informed Governor Satya Pal Malik that the Yatra had crossed the three lakh mark four years ago in 2015 which was a 59 day long Yatra.
Governor expressed satisfaction over increased flow of Yatris this year and recorded high appreciation of the coordinated effort made by the various concerned State Government departments and agencies, Army, Central Armed Police Forces, J&K Police, Shrine Board, all local stakeholders, and the Civil and Police officers of the State Government deployed as Camp Officers for the smooth conduct of Yatra. He also appreciated the people of the Valley, particularly of Anantnag and Ganderbal districts, for their strong support and wholehearted participation in this annual pilgrimage. He wished the Yatris who are registered for pilgrimage in the coming dates, a safe and a satisfactory pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, four Amarnath pilgrims have died over the past 24 hours en route the holy cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, taking the death toll in this year’s pilgrimage to 30, officials said on Wednesday.
“While three pilgrims died on Tuesday, one more pilgrim died this morning due to various causes during their pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnathji,” they said.
The officials said the death toll in this year’s pilgrimage has now gone up to 30, which included 26 pilgrims, two sevadars (volunteers) and two security forces personnel deployed on duty en route the holy cave.
In addition to these, 40 others have been taken ill or sustained injuries due to shooting stones and other causes since the pilgrimage began on July 1, they said.
Deaths due to cardiac arrest triggered by lack of oxygen in the area around the cave shrine have been common over the years, prompting the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board to issue regular health advisories to the pilgrims.
