The annual pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath Cave in south Kashmir concluded on Saturday as devotees chanted hymns and offered prayers at the shrine located in the mountains.
The pilgrimage, which was scheduled for 59 days this year, concludes on Sharavan Purnima when the holy mace of lord Shiva carried by Hindu monks reaches the cave shrine after a weeklong journey from Srinagar. With 282 pilgrims reaching the cave shine on the concluding day, as many as 3,52,771 pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine this year. The pilgrims arrive to have a glimpse of ice stalagmite formed naturally in the cave, which is believed to be the form of lord Shiva.
Governor NN Vohra, who is the ex-officio Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) that regulates and arranges the annual pilgrimage with the logistic assistance of J&K Government, attended the concluding worship at the Cave. The Governor prayed for sustained peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in the State.
The pilgrimage began in the first week of July amid tight security throughout the 59-day period. The pilgrimage is carried out through Pahalgam and Baltal tracks.
The Governor complimented the Civil and Police Administrations of Anantnag and Ganderbal districts, J&K Police, Central Armed Police Forces, Army, and all the involved State Government departments and other agencies for the smooth conduct of the yatra.
The Governor directed the CEO to ensure complete cleaning of all camp sites and to prepare a camp and route-wise Action Plan for Yatra 2016, keeping in view the experiences gained during this year’s pilgrimage.