SRINAGAR: The annual pilgrimage to holy Amarnath cave shrine was going on smoothly as about 3000 yatris left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps today despite cloudy weather.
More than three lakh pilgrims have already had paid obeisance at the cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas since the commencement of the 55-day-long yatra from June 28.
However, this time the number of pilgrims was less as compared to previous years because of Uttarakhand disaster and early melting of self-made Ice-Shivlingam in the cave shrine.
A yatra official said the sky was cloudy at both Baltal and Pahalgam routes since this morning.
However, about 2000 pilgrims, including about 400 women and a sadhu left Baltal base camp for the cave shrine.
He said those who had returned till last evening after paying obeisance left for their homes. However, some of them extended their stay to visit tourist places in the Valley.
Similarly about 1000 pilgrims, including 150 women and 50 sadhus also left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp, he said adding some of them will have night halt at Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional track while others will continue their journey for a halt at Pisso top.
He said the pilgrims, who had night halt at different stations on the track also started their further journey to the cave shrine.
(AGENCIES)
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