A fresh batch of over 6,100 pilgrims left here on Monday for the twin base camps of the Amarnath shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said.
Over two lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the shrine since the start of the 38-day annual yatra, which commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district on July 3. The yatra will conclude on August 9.
Escorted by CRPF and police personnel, the 13th batch of 6,143 pilgrims, including 4,691 men, 1,248 women and 17 children, left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here in 235 vehicles between 3:30 am and 4:00 am, the officials said.
The first pilgrim convoy, carrying 2,215 pilgrims in 100 vehicles, left for the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district, followed by the second convoy of 3,928 pilgrims in 135 vehicles who are undertaking the yatra via the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route in Anantnag district, they said.
With this, a total of 89,101 pilgrims have departed from the Jammu base camp for the Valley since July 2, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch.
More than four lakh persons have registered online for the pilgrimage so far.
With the yatra entering its second fortnight, the rush of pilgrims from various parts of the country continues, with over 3,500 fresh pilgrims having arrived in Jammu for their onward journey to Amarnath.
