SRINAGAR : Undeterred by cloudy weather, fresh batches of pilgrims today left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps for the holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where so far over 2.02 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance since the commencement of the 48-day-long pilgrimage on July 2.
Pilgrimage was progressing smoothly from both sides, a yatra official said this morning. He said several hundred pilgrims paid obeisance since early this morning at the cave shrine.
Yesterday 3175 yatris paid obeisance at the cave shrine, he said adding with this a total of 202500 pilgrims from different parts of the country had darshan at the cave shrine. He said till 0900 hrs about 500 pilgrims, including 71 women and three sadhus left Baltal base camp for the cave shrine after overnight stay there.
The yatris are likely to reach the cave shrine after covering the hilly terrain on foot this afternoon. However, some of the pilgrims, particularly elders, are covering the distance on horse back and Palkhies or dandies. Meanwhile, pilgrims who had paid obeisance and stayed at the cave shrine for the night have also started their return journey early this morning.
Another batch of about 1100 pilgrims left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional track early this morning.
Meanwhile, after night halt at Chandanwari, the pilgrims will start their onward journey towards the cave shrine early in the morning tomorrow. The pilgrims who had night halt at different halting stations on traditional track have also started their journey this morning. (AGENCIES)
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