Examiner Bureau | Jammu:
A fresh batch of 6,721 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu for the Amarnath cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas early Sunday under multi-layered security arrangements, officials said.
The fourth batch of pilgrims comprised 6,721 devotees, including 1,310 women and 22 children. The yatris departed in two separate convoys at around 3 am and 3:40 am, escorted by security personnel.
The annual Amarnath Yatra was flagged off by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp on July 2. With the departure of the latest batch, the total number of pilgrims who have left Jammu for the Kashmir Valley has reached 20,220.
According to officials, the first convoy, comprising 2,590 pilgrims travelling in 152 vehicles, proceeded towards the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district. The second convoy, carrying 4,131 pilgrims in 139 vehicles, headed to the traditional Pahalgam base camp in Anantnag district.
Meanwhile, more than 26,000 devotees have paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine during the first two days of the 57-day annual pilgrimage, which commenced on July 3.
The Amarnath Yatra is being conducted via two routes—the traditional 48-kilometre Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter but steeper 14-kilometre Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
In view of the unprecedented rush of pilgrims, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has advised unregistered devotees to postpone their travel plans for a few days. Officials said registration slots remain fully booked until July 9.
From Sunday onwards, only pilgrims with valid registration will be allowed to proceed towards the Kashmir Valley. Unregistered devotees will be stopped at designated checkpoints until fresh registration quotas become available, officials added.
