Yet one more controversy is ready to bog the popular Amarnath pilgrimage, which is scheduled to begin from June 18 onwards. It is being emphasized by the custodian of this reverent Hindu shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, Mahant Deependra Giri that the usage of the new manmade route of Baltal goes against what is prescribed in the scriptures about the pilgrimage.

 

A lot of pilgrims have been taking the new manmade route to the Amarnath caves as it is shorter and easier. As per Mahant Deependra Giri, the ancient Hindu scripture holds only the trek through the Pahalgam route as the authentic one for Amarnath pilgrimage. He argues that the yatra is not pious if there is no penance. ‘There is no mention of Baltal in the scriptures, which means Pahalgam is the only authentic route for the pilgrimage’, states the custodian of the shrine.

 

He also informs about the Hingish Sahita, which he says is the only true scripture that talks about Amarnath yatra and also guides how to conduct it. The Amarnath shine custodian underscores that Baltal route was thrown open by the Army. The Amarnath Cave is dedicated to Lord Shiva and situated at a height of 3,888 metres, which is 44.8 km from Pahalgam base camp. A lot of devotees however have begun taking the Baltal route, which brings one to the cave only through 13 km.