PNS Srinagar/ Jammu/Baltal
The breeze blew gently, borrowing the cool from the drizzle and energy from the first rays of the dawn, as chants in the praise of Lord Shiva rent the base camps for Amarnath Yatris as they began their journey to the cave shrine nestled at 3,880 metres in the Himalayas.
Most pilgrims spent the night awake in excitement and anticipation — and some because they were sold fake registration slips by agents.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished new enthusiasm and energy to devotees who knew the journey ahead was going to be hectic, but felt assured by the security arrangements.
The weather also played hide and seek, but nothing dampened their spirit as the echoes of ‘Bam Bam Bhole’ and ‘Har Har Mahadev’ lent warmth to the cold rain droplets.
“Even though it is raining,” said a yatri from Mumbai, “Bhole Baba has gifted us with enthusiasm. There is tremendous enthusiasm all around, notwithstanding the bad weather.”
“I came last year also,” added a pilgrim from Amritsar. “The arrangements are very good, they are managing everything, including cards, properly. The weather should remain good.”
