Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir): Amarnath Yatra continued on on Monday along the twin tracks Baltal and Pahalgam amid tight security arrangements. The fresh batch of 4875 Yatries leaves for Amarnath yatra from Jammu's Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu towards the Amarnath holy cave Monday early morning.
As per an official, the 17th batch of pilgrims left the twin base camps in Baltal and Nunwan to start their journey to the 3880-meter-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas. The fresh batch of yatris started their journey early in the morning from the twin tracks the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route and the 14-km Baltal route.
The official said on day 18th 4875 yatries in 162 vehicles left from Jammu's Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu to reach Pahalgam and Baltal base camps in the Kashmir valley to perform rituals at the Amarnath holy cave escorted by the police and security forces.
The yatris who left from Jammu on Monday early morning towards valley included 2328 men,561 women, 4 children, 57 sadhus and 07 sadhvis, among 1918 pilgrims going through Baltal track and 2957 yatries through Pahalgam axis in 68 and 94 vehicles respectively.
Weather Advisory:
The MET department has predicted a spell of light to moderate Rain/thundershower on 15th July around the Himalayas of Amarnath Cave shrine and brief spell of Rain/thundershower at isolated places.
The Amarnath cave is situated 3,888 meters above sea level and it can only be reached on foot or by pony. Located deep inside the Himalayas, the cave shrine can be accessed through the Anantnag-Pahalgam axis and the Ganderbal-Sonamarg-Baltal axis.
The other is the Pahalgam route, which is approximately 36-48 km from the cave and takes 3-5 days to cover. While this is a longer journey, it is a littler easier and less steep.
The 52-day Amarnath Yatra started on 29 June and will continue till August 19.
