SRINAGAR : The lowest number of less than 100 pilgrims left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps for the holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where over 3.46 lakh yatris have paid obeisance since the commencement of the annual yatra from July 2.
As many as 519 pilgrims offered pujan at the cave shrine yesterday. The annual 59-day-long pilgrimage will conclude on August 29 when the Chhari-Mubarak, holy Silver Mace of Lord Shiva will be taken inside the cave shrine for concluding puja.
A Yatra Control Room (YCR) official said that the number of pilgrims has recorded considerable decrease during the past few weeks.
He said fresh batch of less than 50 yatris, including women and sadhus, left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on 45-km-long traditional yatra track. However, pilgrims, who had night halt at Chandnawari and other halting station on the track, have also started their journey towards the cave shrine early this morning. Similarly, about 50 pilgrims who had night halt at Baltal base camp left for the cave shrine early this morning as the weather is pleasant.
The pilgrims are scheduled to reach the cave shrine to pay obeisance in the afternoon. Meanwhile, pilgrims who had night halt near cave shrine have also started their return journey to base camp this morning. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel