The Baltal route which was opened for public this time after eight years was closed this evening as the weatherman predicted moderate to heavy rain in the mountainous tracks leading to holy cave of Lord Shiva 14,000 ft above the sea level. The rainfall is likely to exceed 3 cms till 8.30 pm this evening. Though no extreme danger is warned for this road, authorities are taking extreme precautions in view of the harrowing experiences of 1985 when about 300 pilgrims perished in avalanches and snowfall on the yatra route and the the fragile condition of the Baltal track. Officials here reveal that even a little damp makes thetrack slushy and slippery.

Meanwhile, about 3720 persons performed darshan of the holy lingam at the cave on Wednesday of whom about 990 had opted for the Baltal route.

So far 25,l3125 pilgrims have visited the cave of Lord Shiva and nearly 17,026 have already departed for their homes, officials said. About 32,720 pilgrims had arrived Kashmir till late evening of whom 10,729 were various halting sites en route to the cave.

With around 90,000 pilgrims expected to visit the cave during one month of the pilgrimage, several traders including taxi operators have announced rebates. The showrooms here after a long time display saris and other garments to cash in the tastes of non-Kashmiris thronging the place. The shikarawallas and houseboat owners say they are enjoying a very good business due to the yatra.

The last date for the pilgrimage of August 8. Meanwhile, a number of yatris who returned after darshan some of them first timers told The Indian Express, that they have greatlyenjoyed the the pilgrimage, an accolade for the fastidious organisers. Ashok Kumar from Ahmedabad had all praise for the NGOs who run the Langer for the Yatris. ``You can find all types of vegetarian dishes in the various langers and free of cost. The night stay arrangements are also very good. It been a life time experience for me,'' he said.