Hindu devotees, who have undertaken the pilgrimage to sacred shrine of Amarnath, have expressed satisfaction with the hospitality provided to them in Jammu and Kashmir.
The holy Amarnath cave, containing the shrine of Lord Shiva, is located at a snow-capped mountainous peak of the Himalayas.
The pilgrimage signifies brotherhood that exist in the Kashmir Valley.
"Despite fasting for roza (during the holy month of Ramadan), these Kashmiri brothers are helping us immensely. All the facilities are provided to us. It is very safe here. We are not scared of any terrorist attack. Army is also co-operating a lot and I am very thankful to the local people here," said a pilgrim, Neha, on Friday.
Although the authorities of the shrine board and the state government of Jammu and Kashmir have made all arrangements for the pilgrims, the much needed aid is provided by the Kashmiri residents irrespective of cast and creed.
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The Amaranth yatra (journey) started on June 28. Subsequently, the holy month of Ramadan also started which is very important month for Muslims but despite that the residents have made facilities like phone booths, tent houses, medicines and other essential commodities available by putting up stalls.
"We are providing good services. Though it is the month of Ramadan, we are providing them with a lot of facilities like STD (subscribed trunk dialing - phone booth), many shops are opened here and also tents have been arranged for their help," said a tent house owner, Gulam Mohammad in Srinagar.
Such is the faith of devout Hindus that despite hostile environs and inclement weather, records are broken year after year with the number of pilgrims increasing with each passing year.
This annual pilgrimage commences in the last week of June every year and concludes in early August.
Undeterred by violence, Hindu pilgrims trek daily through icy streams and frozen mountain passes to the 3,800 metres (12,700 feet) high Amarnath cave shrine, to worship an ice stalagmite, believed to be the symbol of Lord Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and regeneration.
