Third Batch of Pilgrims Departs for Amarnath Yatra

Jammu, Jun 30: A third batch of 6,619 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu early Sunday to join the annual Amarnath pilgrimage in the Kashmir Himalayas, officials reported.

On the first day of the 52-day yatra, which began Saturday, about 14,000 pilgrims visited the holy cave shrine at an altitude of 3,880 meters. Pilgrims use twin routes from Pahalgam in Anantnag and Baltal in Ganderbal.

Despite rain in Jammu, 319 vehicles carrying the pilgrims, including 1,141 women, departed between 3:50 am and 4:45 am under tight security. Of the total, 3,838 pilgrims chose the Pahalgam route and 2,781 opted for the Baltal route.

Since the yatra began on June 28, 13,103 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp. The pilgrimage will conclude on August 19. Last year, over 4.5 lakh pilgrims visited the cave shrine, known for its naturally-formed ice lingam.