Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir): The annual Amarnath Yatra continued on twin tracks Baltal and Pahalgam amid multi-layer security arrangements. The fresh batch of 635 yatris left for Amarnath yatra from Jammu's Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in 22 vehicles towards the cave shrine early Wednesday morning.
An official said the fresh batch of pilgrims left the twin base camps in Baltal and Nunwan to start their journey to the 3880-metre-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas.
The yatries who left from Jammu on Wednesday morning towards the valley included 508 men, 98 women, 25 sadhus and 4 sadhvis.
The Amarnath cave is situated 3,888 metres 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 from 29 June and will continue till August 19.
Pertinently, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha led Jammu and Kashmir on Aug 5 suspended the annual Amarnath Yatra on the fifth anniversary of abrogation of Article 370 as a precautionary measure. The convoy of Amarnath pilgrims from Jammu's Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas was not allowed to proceed towards the Kashmir Valley and the pilgrims were asked to stay at the Yatri Niwas till Tuesday morning to move for the Amarnath cave for darshan.
