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SRINIGAR, INDIA, August 14, 2003: The annual pilgrimage which witnessed a record number of two hundred thousand yatris (pilgrims) from all over the country, concluded at Pahalgam after last rituals were performed today. The last rituals — Pujan and Visarjan — were performed on the bank of River Lidder at Pahalgam by Mahant Deependra Giri today. Large number of sadhus who had come from various parts of the country also participated in the ceremony. Speaking on the occcason, Mahant Giri expressed satisfaction over the successful completion of the pilgrimage. He congratulated the state administration and security forces for the peaceful yatra. A record number of two lakh pilgrims had darshan this year, he said. Mahant Giri appealed to central government to take initiative for construction of necessary infrastructure at Jammu, Pahalgam, Chandnwari, Shehshnag, Panchtarni and Balatal for the pilgrims and emphased the need for making the yatra eco-friendly. The Mahant also thanked Governor General (Rtd) S K Sinha, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, for making all the arrangments for the sadhus who accompanied the Chahri-Mubarak (Silver Mace of Lord Siva) from Dashnami Akkhara to the cave shrine.



Security was tight along the pilgrimage route, which has been guarded for a month by thousands of soldiers, paramilitary and police. This is the first time in a decade that no incident of militant violence has been reported during the pilgrimage. However, at least 28 pilgrims died — four in a helicopter crash and the rest due to altitude-related illnesses.

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