Weather improves, Amarnath pilgrims allowed towards shrine

Srinagar, June 25 (IANS) As the weather improved along the north Kashmir Baltal route of the Amarnath Yatra, the authorities Monday afternoon allowed the movement of pilgrims towards the cave shrine.

"More than 6,000 pilgrims have moved ahead of Dumail towards the Holy Cave. We had stopped the pilgrims at Dumail, three kilometres ahead of Baltal base camp, because of heavy downpour in the area.

"As the weather has improved now we are allowing the pilgrims towards the cave shrine", said a senior official of the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

The helicopter sorties between the base camp and the shrine had also resumed, the official added.

Another batch of 2,500 pilgrims were allowed towards the cave Monday morning from the south Kashmir Pahalgam base camp.

Earlier, state Governor N.N. Vohra, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), performed the traditional Puja inside the shrine Monday morning.

The 13,000 feet high Himalayan shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure devotees believe symbolizes the mythological powers of Lord Shiva.