The annual Amarnath Yatra is a symbol of Kashmir’s rich ethos and syncretic culture that has survived the unfavourable situation that has gripped the union territory over the last three decades.
At a time when security agencies have warned of imminent threat to the 43-day pilgrimage by terrorists, Kashmiri people have welcomed the pilgrims with warmth and jubilation.
Not so long ago, the cavalcades of pilgrims would be welcomed by local Kashmiri people at various locations in Pahalgam and Sonmarg. In turn, the pilgrims would offer them sweets.
“I remember children and even elders would gather at KP Road and shout slogans like Bham Bham Bole. This would make the pilgrims happy who would offer sweets,” said Riyaz Ahmad, a resident of Anantnag.
From the starting points at Nunwan and Baltal, it is the people of Kashmir who ensure that the pilgrims are facilitated in a proper way so that they enjoy their stay in Kashmir. Almost all the pony owners, who ferry pilgrims to the cave shrine in Lidder Valley are Muslims.
“The cave shrine was under the supervision of a Muslim man belonging to Malik family of Batkoot in Anantnag whose forefathers had discovered the shrine. It is only some few years ago that the shrine was officially brought under the control of Amarnath Board,” Riyaz added.
Major service providers involved in the pilgrimage are Muslims for whom it is much more than source of livelihood. “We put our lives at great risk to climb the difficult terrains. We suffer during the journey but we make it sure that the yatris are not subject to any trouble,” said Shakeel Rasool, a pony wallah from Sonmarg.
Before the commencement of the yatra, hundreds of Muslims set up their stalls at the base camps at Baltal and Nunwan to provide assistance and different kinds of materials for the pilgrims.
The pilgrims are also all praise for the local Muslims and their hospitality while providing them different kinds of services. “I have interacted with dozen service providers and all of them are Muslims. This is true picture of Kashmiriyat which should serve as an example for others to follow,” said Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Haryana who is performing the yatra this year.
The 43-day pilgrimage started on June 30 with a batch of pilgrims flagged off from Jammu by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. This year, six to eight lakh pilgrims are expected to participate in the pilgrimage which has resumed fully after three years.
Amid security threat, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, civil and police administration have made tight arrangements for the annual yatra to ensure a peaceful yatra.