Fresh batches of pilgrims leave Baltal, Pahalgam base camps for holy cave
Srinagar, July 12: Fresh batches of pilgrims, including women and sadhus, left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps for the holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where so far over 1,34,000 yatris had paid obeisance till Thursday morning since the commencement of 60-day-long pilgrimage from June 28.
About 15,700 pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine on 14th day of pilgrimage on Wednesday. Meanwhile, piligrims, who had night halt at nearby halting stations, are reaching holy cave since Thursday morning to pay obeisance, official sources told UNI. More yatris are also on way, they said.
With this, a total of over 134,000 pilgrims from different parts of the country, had darshan of the self made Ice-Shivlingam in the cave shrine situated at about 14,000 feet. Majority pilgrims had since returned to their homes while others are visiting tourist destination in the valley before leaving for home.
A fresh batch of about 4,200 pilgrims left Baltal base camp for the holy cave shrine early this morning. The pilgrims, including women and sadhus, are scheduled to reach the cave shrine after covering the 14-km-long hilly track on foot while elderly yatris are using horses and dandies to reach the shrine.
Similarly, a fresh batch of pilgrims also left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for Chandanwari, the first halting station on traditional track, which could be reached by vehicles also. Meanwhile, pilgrims, who had night halt at Chandanwari and other halting station on the route, have also started their journey on foot towards the cave shrine early this morning.