SRINAGAR: Fresh batches of pilgrims left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps early this morning for the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas, where so far over 2.57 lakh have paid obeisance since the commencement of the 40-day-long pilgrimage from June 29.
Pilgrimage was progressing smoothly as the weather turned pleasant today after rain last evening at several halting stations on the tracks, a yatra official said.
He said 205 pilgrims, including 31 women, 37 sadhus and 11 sadhvees, left Bagwati Nagar, Jammu, base camp in six vehicles for base camps in Kashmir valley early this morning under tight security arrangements.
He said on the 35th day of the 40-day-long pilgrimage yesterday, 415 yatris paid obeisance at the cave shrine.
Pilgrims, who had a night halt at Panjtarni also left for the holy shrine early this morning. While 120 yatris had darshan, others are on way to cover the about two km distance on foot.
With this a total of over 2.57 yatris, including women and sadhus, from different parts of the country had darshan of the self made ice-shivlingam at the cave shrine so far.
A fresh batch of yatris also left Baltal base camp for the cave shrine early this morning. The pilgrims are expected to reach the cave shrine, situated at 14,000 feet, in the afternoon after covering 14 km hilly terrain on foot.
Meanwhile, majority pilgrims who took traditional Pahalgam track to reach the cave shrine are also returning via shotest Baltal track. Similarly, fresh batch of pilgrims, who had a night halt at Nunwan Pahalgam base camp, have left for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional track.
Pilgrims, who had night halt at different halting stations on the traditional route, have also started their foot journey towards the cave shrine this morning. (AGENCIES)
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