First batch of Amarnath pilgrims back in Surat city

Relatives were seen embracing each other and recounting their experiences at the railway station today.

Chandrakant Reshamwala, who along with his wife, son, cousin and nephew had visited the shrine was full of joy when he returned home, “The experience was really fulfilling. Every Hindu should visit the place once in his lifetime,” he said. Nine members of Reshamwala’s family have been back after leaving for Amarnath shrine on July 2.

Raju Reshamwala, Chandrakantbhai’s son said, “We went up by the Baaltaal route and after a stop at the gufa, walked for 14 miles to the shivling, which is the biggest on purnima day at 13 feet.

Others referred to the law and order situation there, stating that though there was elaborate bandobust of military personnel there, they never felt insecure. “We visited Srinagar, Pehalgam, Sheshnath, Jammu and many other areas, but there was no trouble,” said an excited Dipesh Joshi, a youngster, who had joined the group for the first yatra of his life.