Amarnath Yatra: Fresh batch of 6,600 pilgrims leaves Jammu

Double amputee from Jaipur vows to keep coming back

Jammu: A third batch of 6,619 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu in two separate convoys to join the annual Amarnath pilgrimage in the Kashmir Himalayas, officials said on Sunday.
About 14,000 pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine located at a height of 3,880 metres on the first day of the 52-day annual yatra, which commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district on Saturday, the officials said.
The third batch, including 1,141 women, left in 319 vehicles between 3:50 am and 4:45 am amid tight security.
It was raining in Jammu when the pilgrims left for Kashmir, the officials said, adding that 3,838 devotees opted for the Pahalgam route while 2,781 were heading for Baltal to perform the yatra.
With this, a total of 13,103 pilgrims left the Jammu base camp for the Valley since June 28 when Lt Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch.
The pilgrimage will conclude on August 19. More than 4.5 lakh pilgrims paid their obeisance at the cave shrine, housing a naturally-formed ice lingam, last year.
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Anand Singh from Rajasthan's Jaipur lost both his legs in an accident in 2002. A devotee of Lord Shiva, Singh has embarked on his 12th journey to Amarnath, at a height of 3,880 metres to pay his obeisance at the the holy cave shrine.
"I started coming to Baba's darbar in 2010. I missed the yatra in 2013 due to floods in Kedarnath and for two years when it was suspended due to the Covid pandemic," he said.
A double amputee, Singh sits in a truck tyre cutout and uses his hands to move.
"For the first four or five years, I dragged myself using my hands but now it has become difficult for me. I travel in a palki (palanquin)," Singh said.
Highlighting the "special" nature of his relationship with Lord Shiva, he said, "This bond is getting stronger every year. That's why I come here."
Despite his disabilities, he does not feel "underprivileged".
"It does not matter what people say about me. While some view my endeavour positively, some others criticise me. Not all people are the same," he said.
Singh has pledged to visit the holy cave shrine as long as he can do it on his own.
The annual yatra to the cave shrine, housing a natural ice stalagmite resembling a lingam, in the Pahalgam area of Anantnag district of the south Kashmir Himalayas began on Saturday.
The 52-day pilgrimage will conclude on August 19.