New batch of 720 pilgrims leave for holy cave from base camps

SRINAGAR: A new batch of 720 pilgrims, including women and sadhus, today left for the Holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where more than 3.30 lakh had paid obeisance since the commencement of the yatra from June 28. The yatra was going on smoothly from both Nunwan Pahalgam and Baltal routes, official sources said. They said despite intermittent rain and cloudy weather since yesterday, both the tracks were safe for undertaking the foot journey to the cave shrine. They said 396 pilgrims, including women and sadhus left Baltal base camp for the Shrine. Similarly 324 yatris also left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for next halting station Chandnawari, the last motorable station on the Pahalgam route. They included 36 women and 65 sadhus. Those who had night halt at different halting stations, includng Chandanwari, also left for the Shrin, they added. (AGENCIES)