SRINAGAR: The annual Amarnath pilgrimage is progressing smoothly as fresh batches of yatris left base camps early this morning for the holy cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where so far over 2.40 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance since the commencement of the yatra from June 29.
Meanwhile, lowest number of 673 pilgrims, including women and sadhus, left Bagwati Nagar, Jammu base camp for Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps early this morning.
However, due to rain, triggering landslides at Penathal, traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway was suspended.
The weather is pleasant and the 40-day-long yatra from shortest Baltal and traditional Pahalgam tracks since June 29 is progressing smoothly, a yatra official said.
He said a fresh batch of pilgrims, including women and sadhus, left Bagwti Nagar base camp for the Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps early this morning under unprecedented security arrangements.
He said yesterday, on the 25th day of yatra, 3,734 yatris paid obeisance at the Holy Cave. With this, a total of over 2,41000 lakh yatris had the darshan at the Holy Cave till this morning.
Meanwhile, pilgrims, who had left Panjtarni early this morning after night halt, are paying obeisance after covering two km distance on foot, he said.
He said a fresh batch of pilgrims left Baltal to reach the cave shrine. 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.
Majority of the yatris will try to return to base camp today itself after paying obeisance while others will prefer to have night stay in the camp near the cave shrine.
Meanwhile, majority pilgrims, who had preferred to reach the cave shrine from traditional track, are also returning via Baltal track.
Similarly, fresh batch of pilgrims, who had a night halt at Nunwan Pahalgam base camp, also left for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional track.
Meanwhile, 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)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
