SRINAGAR: A fresh batch of pilgrims today left for holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas.
Meanwhile, more than 4,500 pilgrims, who were stranded in Jammu after the national highway, connecting Kashmir valley with rest of the country, was closed due to landslides triggered by rains yesterday, have left for Nunwan Pahalgam and Batal base camps.
A yatra official said that a small group of over 300 pilgrims, including women and sadhus, left Baltal base camp for the holy cave through a short track after yatris from Jammu could not reach due to closure of the highway yesterday.
Pilgrims, who took halt at a base camp near holy cave last night, are on way to Baltal base camp. He said reports from Nunwan Pahalgam base camp was not available.
However, pilgrims, who had taken night halt at Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station, and in other halting stations on traditional Pahalgam route, have started their onward journey towards the cave shrine early this morning.
Pilgrims, who had night halt at Panjtarni, are on way to holy cave to have darshan of the ice Shiva Lingam, official sources said, adding many of them had paid obeisance there since morning.
Interestingly, most of the pilgrims are travelling from Jammu to Kashmir without any security cover.
Only about 5,000 pilgrims opted to travel in a convoy since June 28 and more than 1,4250 had darshan till last night. The pilgrims lauded the arrangements, including security, and support they were receiving from the local people. (AGENCIES)
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