Board Issues Fresh Advisory to Yatris
Yatri dies despite Air-Rescue by Shri Amarnath Shrine Board

Srinagar, July 1 - Murlidharbhai, a 30-year old Yatri from Orissa, died due to cardiac arrest this morning at the Baltal Base Camp Hospital, after being evacuated from Sheshnag by a helicopter chartered by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB).

Responding to the emergency medical call from Sheshnag, on the Chandanwari-Holy Cave track, and in terms of standing instructions of the Chairman of the SASB/Governor of J&K, Mr. N. N. Vohra, that the Chief Executive Officer shall immediately provide all required help and support, in any emergent situation, to evacuate a seriously ill Yatri, the SASB officials organized a rescue helicopter sortie for providing medical treatment to the critically ill Yatri. Immediately on arrival at the Baltal Helipad, the patient was rushed, in a waiting SASB ambulance, to the Health Centre where, despite the best efforts of the doctors, the patient breathed his last.

Murlidharbhai, son of Kalandyabhai, resident of Khurda District in Orissa, was not as lucky as the other two Yatris who were evacuated earlier by the Shrine Board from Panchtarni and Brarimarg. Mrs Rita Bhalla, 48, wife of Lt Col Karan Singh from Punjab, had been heli-lifted from Brarimarg on 24 June to the Baltal Hospital when she had complained of chest-pain. Similarly, the Shrine Board organized a rescue flight late on 29 June evening to evacuate a 15 year old girl from Panchtarni, Ms Richa Singal, daughter of Pardeep Singh, resident of Uttar Pradesh. This rescue operation was carried out when the helicopter services had stopped operations for the day. Both these Yatris survived after being given specialized medicare at the BaltalBase Camp Hospital.

Expressing shock over the demise of Murlidharbhai, the Spokesperson of the Board reiterated the Board’s earlier advisories repeatedly issued in the past weeks, which had requested the Yatris to be particularly careful, keeping in view their health status, before deciding to embark upon pilgrimage to the Shri Amarnathji Cave Shrine in the arduous Himalayan region. He conveyed the Board’s deep sympathy for the kith and kin of those who had died during the pilgrimage, since its commencement.

The Board has once again urged the Yatris to get themselves thoroughly checked up, before traveling to the high mountains. The Board has already issued advisories to the intending pilgrims which,interalia, include carrying general medicines such as Glucose, Disprin, Combiflam, some biscuits or dry fruits, cold cream, vaseline, sunscreen lotion etc. The old and infirm Yatris have been requested not to embark on the Yatra in view of difficult terrain, deficiency of oxygen in the high altitude areas and vagaries of the weather.

Meanwhile, another young pilgrim, Munish Jain, 38, died near Zojibal due to a fall from horseback. With this, the number of deaths during this year’s Yatra has swelled to 17, which includes the sad loss of two porters.
A Spokesperson of the Board stated that 9,012 pilgrims had performed darshan at the Holy Cave Shrine yesterday. This morning, two batches of 3,397 and 2,081 Yatris left from the Baltal and the Pahalgam Base Camps, respectively, for their onward journey to theHoly Cave. From Jammu, 1,412 Yatris left for the Pahalgam and Baltal Base Camps this morning.

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Over 37.23 lakh Pilgrims pay Obeisance at
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine

Katra, July 01 - Over 37.23 lakh pilgrims from various parts of the country have so far visited at the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno devi ji since January Ist this year.

During the month of June, as many as 9,66,302 devotees have paid their obeisance in the holy cave shrine which is 1,21,078 pilgrims less from the corresponding period of last year in this month.

Presently, 34,000 to 35,000 pilgrims are arriving daily at the base camp Katra for their onward journey to the holy cave shrine.

All pilgrims, on reaching Katra, are required to register themselves before undertaking the yatra. The task of registration is done by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board which is the only statutory and legal authority for the purpose. No other organization, private or public, is authorized to issue the yatra slip. The registration process is entirely free and is fully computerized. This process is carried out at the Yatra Registration Counter (YRC), situated at Bus Stand, Katra. Under this procedure, a pilgrim has to register his name alongwith the number of companions and he is issued a computerized slip (Yatra Slip/Parchi) which is the documentary permission to proceed for the onward journey to the Holy Cave Shrine. One yatra slip is issued for a maximum 9 family members.

In order to reduce the waiting time in the main YRC, a second yatra counter has been made operational at yatra counter No. II. This counter, in addition to the usual registration, has also been authorized to issue yatra slips for larger yatra groups.

Besides other facilities for the visiting pilgrims, proper arrangements for drinking water have also been made by the Municipal Committee, Katra and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

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Devotees pay Obeisance at Mata Chandi Temples, Bhaderwah during Annual Trishul Baint Yatra

Bhaderwah, July 01 -The annual Trishul Baint Yatra of Mata Chandi, which started from Doda, today reached the temple of Goddess Chandi at village Chanote Bhaderwah where thousands of devotees darshan of the deity.
The yatra was accorded a rousing reception at various places enroute Bhaderwah.

At Bhaderwah, the yatra was received by a large number of devotees and officers including Sub Divisional Magistrate, Bhaderwah, Mr Kalyan Singh, Additional SP and Tehsildar.

After Trishul Bhaint ceremony and religious rituals the yatra will move back from Doda in the evening.

Elaborate arrangements of drinking water, electricity, first aid, fire and emergency services and security had been made by the local administration on the occasion.