JAMMU: A fresh batch of 6,365 pilgrims, including 1,499 women and 441 children, departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp on Saturday to participate in the ongoing Amarnath Yatra in the south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said.
The group also comprised 135 sadhus and sadhvis, who were headed to the twin base camps—Nunwan-Pahalgam in Anantnag and Baltal in Ganderbal—in separate convoys under tight security arrangements during the early hours, they added.
According to officials, 3,514 pilgrims left for Pahalgam in 119 vehicles, while 2,851 pilgrims opted for the Baltal route, travelling in 92 vehicles.
The 38-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine began on July 3 via the two routes and will conclude on August 9, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival.
So far, over 2.75 lakh devotees have offered prayers at the shrine, which houses a naturally formed ice Shivlingam.
