SRINAGAR: A fresh batch of about 5,500 pilgrims left Baltal and Pahalgam base camps early this morning for holy Amarnath cave shrine, where so far about 25000 had paid obeisance since the commencement of the 48-day-long yatra from July 2.
The yatra is going on smoothly though at some places the sky is partly cloudy, a yatra official said.
He said about 1,500 pilgrims, including women and sadhus, had darshan of the self-made Ice-Shivlingam in the cave, situated at 13,000 feet, till 0800 hrs this morning.
With this, a total of about 25,000 pilgrims from different parts of the country had darshan at the cave shrine. About 4,000 pilgrims, including women and sadhus, left Baltal base camp early this morning for the holy cave shrine. The pilgrims are likely to reach the cave this afternoon after covering about 14 km distance on foot.
He said pilgrims who had darshan and stayed at the camp near the cave overnight have also started their return journey through this shortest route though some of them had returned yesterday itself after paying obeisance there.
About 2,000 pilgrims also left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp this morning for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on traditional yatra route, he said, adding that some of them preferred to reach there in vehicles while others, including sadhus, covered the distance on foot.
Meanwhile, pilgrims who had night halt at Chandanwari and other halting stations on the traditional route have also started their onward journey towards the cave shrine early this morning.
The authorities have made all arrangements, including free langars, water, washrooms and media facilities at all halting stations besides at cave shrine and both base camps.
Majority devotees, who had darshan during the first two days of the yatra have since returned to base camps. While some of them have left for their homes others stayed in Kashmir to visit tourist places. (AGENCIES)
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