JAMMU, July 2: A fresh batch of over 6,500 pilgrims departed from Jammu on Tuesday to the Amarnath shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas, amidst tight security, officials reported. On Monday, more than 23,000 devotees paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre high cave shrine, bringing the total number of pilgrims to over 51,000. Additionally, over 2,000 on-the-spot registrations were conducted on Monday.
The fifth batch, consisting of 6,537 pilgrims, left at 3:05 am in 261 vehicles for the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam, escorted by security vehicles. Of these, 4,431 pilgrims opted for the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route, while 2,106 chose the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route.
Since June 28, when Lt Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch, a total of 26,101 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the valley. The 52-day yatra, which began on June 29, will conclude on August 19.
