A youth from Punjab, Abishek Shahi, is relaxing in the premises of Yatri Niwas in city’s commercial hub Lal Chowl, after paying obeisance at Amarnath cave shrine.
“The hospitality that I received at Yatri Niwas and frompeople of Kashmir is overwhelming. It is totally opposite to what media tellsus about Kashmir and its people,” said Abishek, in an emotional tone.
Instead of visiting Amarnath, with pilgrims from outsidestates, he preferred to travel with a friend from Jammu who had convinced himto visit Kashmir.
“I will return to the Valley soon,” he says adding that he travelledto Amarnath shrine on a strike day, but didn’t face any inconvenience.
“Kashmiris associated with Yatra are very welcoming andhelpful and every arrangement is up to the mark,” he said.
He says that the historic Yatri Niwas at Srinagar has added tothe value of his maiden visit to Kashmir.
Located in the heart of the city, few meters from historicGanta Ghar, the century old Niwas has been a major attraction for Yatris whocome for Amarnath Yatra every year.
The Yatri Niwas which is run by a nonprofit organization’Shri Sanatan Dharm Partap Sabha’ from decades was donated by Dogra ruler,Maharaja Partap Singh in 1915 as an inn for travelers and other needy people.
During Yatra season free Langar is organized over a periodof 40 days of Amarnath Yatra every year. “We serve food to more than 120persons for free on daily basis. Scores of people arrive on daily basis and weare all happy to serve them. Our menu is vegetarian which keep on changing ondaily basis so that we can keep up to the expectations of the Yatris. Everyyear our free Langar caters to around 5000 Yatris,” said Inder Kumar, In chargeof Yatri Niwas.
“The place caught fire in 1993 and was defunct till 2009. In2009 we renovated it. Irrespective of religion we are here for people from everysection of society. During floods and unrests over years many people stayed here and we served themwithout any charge for days,” said Anil Chawla, treasurer, Yatri Niwas.
“The small amount that we charge for rooms is not for anyprofit making but for the expenses like salaries of employees,” he said.
Yatri Niwas has 40 rooms and a dormitory that canaccommodate more than 100 persons. It also has staff strength of around 25people who work in administration, kitchen and other areas.
Every day groups of Yatris arrive here before leaving forYatra and also while returning. Not only Yatris, people who come for other workstay at Yatri Niwas.
“I am here to attend to my business related work and Iprefer this place. The reason is that the place is simple, economic and full ofhospitality,” said other person who identified himself as a regular visitor.
The visitors at Yatri Niwas say that the place is not likeany other lodging facility but it is like a spiritual experience.
In a small temple at the ground floor of Yatri Niwas, therestands a huge glittering idol of ‘Mata Durga’. Every day pooja is held thereand whosoever is putting up in Yatri Niwas participates in it with zeal andzest.
“The temple was damaged during 2014 deluge but we renovatedit,” said one of employee at Yatri Niwas adding that the Niwas will continue touphold the tradition of serving Yatris and other visitors.