The sight and sounds at Baltal symbolises the pilgrimage to the high-altitude, low-oxygen Hindu cave shrine of Amarnath each summer in Jammu and Kashmir. For every pilgrim taken to the Amarnath cave and brought back to Baltal base camp, they earn Rs 3,500. The two ponywalahs or horsemen discussed near an illuminated langar, community kitchen serving free food to pilgrims, how business would be this season. These “service providers” – as the official records describe them – gather from around the state at the two base camps, Baltal and Chandanwari. First-time pilgrim Ravi Bains from Punjab said the bhaichada (brotherhood)” he has felt at Baltal between pilgrims and local Kashmiris was “amazing”.

Source: Hindustan Times July 04, 2016 06:02 UTC