No pilgrims ex-Jammu for Amarnath Yatra Monday

No pilgrim turned up for the Amarnath Yatra here Monday, the last date for the passage of pilgrims from winter capital Jammu to the Kashmir Valley.

On Sunday, 19 pilgrims and 20 sadhus proceeded for the yatra from here to the Valley.

Officials of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) that manages the affairs of the yatra confirmed that no pilgrim intending to use the 35-km-long track would be allowed to proceed to the cave shrine from Chandanwari yatra camp near Pahalgam towards the cave shrine after Monday morning.

However, pilgrims using the north Kashmir Baltal route and those intending to avail the helicopter services for the to and fro journey from the south Kashmir route would be allowed till Aug 21, the last day of the yatra.

Officials stated that no pilgrims would be allowed to proceed towards the cave shrine from Jammu after Monday.

This year, the yatra started June 28 and over 3.5 lakh pilgrims have had 'darshan' of the ice lingam inside the cave.

The ice stalagmite structure is believed to symbolise the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.

The number of pilgrims for Amarnath Yatra this year has been low as compared to last year when six lakh pilgrims undertook it. The fear generated in the aftermath of the Uttarakhad tragedy is largely believed to be responsible for the lesser turn out of pilgrims this year.