SRINAGAR : About 3,000 pilgrims today left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps for Holy Amarnath Cave Shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where more than 2.70 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance in the cave shrine since the commencement of 55-day-long pilgrimage from June 28.
The yatra was going on smoothly though the number of yatris today was very less as compared to previous days as yatris could not reach base camps from Jammu yesterday due to closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway following the protests at different places in Ramban area, where four people were killed in alleged security force firing.
An official said from Yatra camp at Pahalgam that about 2,000 pilgrims left Nunwan camp for Holy cave.
He said some of them will have night halt at Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on this traditional route while others will cover the distance on foot for next station.
Those who had night halt at different places on this track have also started journey towards the Holy cave.
Normally, we were allowing yatris till 1100 hrs, he said adding all yatris left the base camp till 0930 hrs.
Official sources said there were not much yatris at Baltal base camp. However, about one thousand, who had arrived there a day earlier left for the Cave shrine this morning.
They said 409 pilgrims also were taken to cave shrine in helicopters from base camps today till 1000 hrs. (AGENCIES)
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