Srinagar, July 9 (IANS) Over 1.42 lakh devotees had ‘darshan’ inside the holy Amarnath cave shrine during the last six days as another batch of 8,150 yatris left Jammu for Kashmir on Thursday.

Of the 8,150 yatris leaving Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas this morning, a total of 4,705 pilgrims left for Nunwan base camp while 3,445 were headed for Baltal base camp. Both batches left in separate escorted convoys.

All the pilgrims who had darshan at the cave shrine returned safely to the Baltal base camp on Wednesday evening.

Authorities are now strictly ensuring that no unregistered Yatri moves towards the Valley as all slots for registered pilgrims have been completely booked till this day.

The rush of unregistered pilgrims has created a lot of confusion and led to a mess at the two base camps as well as at the transit camps.

On Wednesday, four teachers posted at Manigam transit camp in Ganderbal district were placed under suspension, and an inquiry was immediately started against them.

Officials said these teachers had allegedly indulged in gross dereliction of duty with financial intent, as their on-the-spot registration form statement was at complete variance with the actual number of unregistered Yatris they had allowed to proceed towards the Baltal base camp.

Mismanagement of this kind is being thoroughly looked into at all other transit and base camps.

Meanwhile, due to the heavy rush of pilgrims and the connected human activity around the holy cave shrine, the ice stalagmite inside the cave shrine has started melting.

Authorities have ordered that, except for the number of bona fide yatris, the presence and activity of human beings near the cave shrine should remain at the bare minimum required for security reasons.

The cave shrine situated 3880 metres above sea level houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.

SANJY-2026, which started on July 3, will end on August 28 after 57 days, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.

–IANS

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