Srinagar: For the last two years, 53-year-old ponywala Tariq Ahmad Bhat did odd jobs to support his family.
Post Amarnath yatra cancellation, he had no money to feed his four ponies. He had to lend his two horses to a relative for ferrying tourists to Pahalgam
Come June 30, Bhat is hoping to make up for the losses as yatra is set to resume after two years.
“The situation has been very bad in the last two years. I had to lend my two horses to a relative for ferrying tourists to Pahalgam. I was unable to feed them. When tourist flow was very less, I borrowed money for supporting family and horses,” he said.
Bhat has decided to bring back his horses and use them to ferry yatries from Chandanwari to the holy cave. “We hope a record number of pilgrims will visit Kashmir this year. It will infuse new life into ponywalas,” he said.
Like Bhat hundreds of the ponywalas, cab drivers, dandiwalas, and other service providers are readying themselves for Amarnath Yatra this year.
Situated at an altitude of 3,888 meters, the holy Amarnath cave is accessible from two routes in Kashmir Valley. The 46-km Pahalgam–Holy cave trek is an ancient pilgrimage route that is covered in five days. There lies the ice lingam of Lord Shiva that is formed naturally and waxes and wanes with the moon. The new 14-kilometer Baltal-Holy cave route is now preferred by the pilgrims since it is shorter though steep, and the journey can be completed in a day.
Last year, the government canceled Yatra due to Covid second wave.
Ponywalas said that they will press additional horses into service as indications are that a large number of yatris will visit Kashmir this year.
“Administration has said nearly 6-8 lakh pilgrims will visit the cave shrine. We may need, more ponies to cater to the rush of pilgrims. Scores of new ponywalas have been pressed into service from the Baltal side this year,” said Ghulam Mohammad Mir, a ponywalas from Kangan.
Apart from ponywalas, cab drivers, dandiwalas, palkiwalas, and other service providers are also gearing up for the yatra season.
“The process of setting up tents and langars will begin next week. Since registration for yatra has begun, ponywalas, dandiwalas, palkiwalas, and other service providers are also making necessary arrangements for yatris,” said Mohammad Shafi Wani, a cab driver.
