Amarnath Yatra Suspended on Baltal Route Due to Heavy Rains
The Amarnath Yatra on the Baltal route has been suspended to carry out maintenance work following heavy rains, according to an official statement. Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bhiduri, said, “Due to the heavy rains, urgent repair and maintenance work is required to be undertaken on the Baltal axis of the Amarnath Yatra. In the interest of the safety of the yatris, no yatra will be allowed tomorrow from the Baltal route also.”
Meanwhile, another batch of pilgrims left for the Amarnath Yatra from the Pantha Chowk base camp in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, amid heightened security. Vinita Singh, a pilgrim from Haryana, expressed her excitement and satisfaction with the arrangements, saying, “Everything including security arrangements and facilities, is up to mark here. People here are very good.”
The annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine began on June 29 and will culminate on August 19. The Yatra, conducted by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, is divided into two routes: one through Pahalgam and the other through Baltal in the Ganderbal district of Kashmir. Baltal serves as the camping ground for pilgrims.
Doubts Revealed
Amarnath Yatra -: Amarnath Yatra is a religious pilgrimage to a holy cave in the Himalayas where a natural ice formation, believed to be a symbol of Lord Shiva, is found.
Baltal Route -: The Baltal Route is one of the paths that pilgrims take to reach the Amarnath cave. It is known for being shorter but steeper compared to other routes.
Heavy Rains -: Heavy rains mean a lot of rain falling in a short period, which can cause problems like flooding and landslides, making it unsafe for people to travel.
Maintenance Work -: Maintenance work involves fixing and repairing roads, paths, or other infrastructure to make them safe and usable again.
Divisional Commissioner -: A Divisional Commissioner is a high-ranking government official responsible for overseeing the administration of a division, which is a group of districts.
Vijay Kumar Bhiduri -: Vijay Kumar Bhiduri is the name of the Divisional Commissioner who announced the suspension of the Amarnath Yatra on the Baltal route.
Pilgrims -: Pilgrims are people who travel to a holy place for religious reasons.
Pantha Chowk base camp -: Pantha Chowk base camp is a starting point in Srinagar where pilgrims gather before beginning their journey to the Amarnath cave.
Srinagar -: Srinagar is the largest city and the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, a region in northern India.
Annual pilgrimage -: An annual pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place that happens once every year.
Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board -: The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board is an organization that manages the Amarnath Yatra, ensuring the safety and well-being of the pilgrims.
