More than 2.3 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at Amarnath Cave in the mountains of south Kashmir during the 16 days of pilgrimage that started on July 2. The 59-day yatra was suspended twice due to inclement weather but the inflow of yatris has remained regular.
An official of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) that regulates and oversees the yatra said that 15 pilgrims have lost their lives in the Yatra area till date. “AS many as 13 yatris died due to medical reasons and 2 expired due to an accident”, he said adding one CRPF personnel died while on duty at the Holy Cave and one porter died after being washed away in lider river, near Chandanwari.
The pilgrims have been advised to strictly follow the Health Advisory issued by the SASB.