Jammu, July 14 : A fresh batch of more than 7,000 pilgrims embarked on the Amarnath Yatra, a pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Lord Shiva in the south Kashmir Himalayas, from the base camp in Jammu on Friday morning. The departure was carried out under strict security measures, according to officials. The group consisted of 7,245 pilgrims, including men, women, seers, and children, traveling in a convoy of 226 vehicles.
Out of the total number, 4,101 pilgrims headed towards the Pahalgam base camp, departing in a convoy of 125 vehicles. Another convoy of 101 vehicles transported 3,144 pilgrims to the Baltal base camp in the Kashmir Valley. Since June 30, this marks the 12th batch of yatris, bringing the total count of pilgrims leaving the Jammu base camp for the valley to 72,789.
Officials reported that a significant number of 162,569 yatris have already paid their respects at the cave shrine and witnessed the naturally-formed ‘Icelingum’ since July 1. The annual 62-day pilgrimage to the 3,888-meter-high cave shrine, which began on July 1 from the Pahalgam and Baltal tracks, is scheduled to conclude on August 31.
