SRINAGAR: Pilgrimage to holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas was progressing smoothly though the number of yatris has dropped considerably.
Meanwhile, lowest 155 yatris, including 17 women and some sadhus, left Bagwati Nagar, Jammu, base camp for Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps in Kashmir early this morning under unprecedented security arrangements.
Fresh batches of yatris, including women and sadhus, left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps early this morning for the holy Amarnath cave shrine, where so far about 2.56 lakh pilgrims had darshan since the commencement of the 40-day-long yatra from June 29.
Weather is pleasant and pilgrimage is going on smoothly from both traditional Pahalgam and shortest Baltal tracks, a yatra official said.
He said fresh batches of pilgrims, though the number was very low, left base camps at Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam for the cave shrine early this morning.
On the 33rd day of the 40-day-long pilgrimage, which commenced from June 29, 1571 yatris paid obeisance at the holy cave yesterday.
More pilgrims are arriving at the cave shrine to pay obeisance since early this morning from Panjterni, where they had night halt on traditional track.
With this a total of about 2.56 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 had preferred to reach the cave shrine from traditional Pahalgam track 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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