Another batch of devotees leave for Amarnath from Jammu, One more yatri dies, toll touches 33

JAMMU/SRINAGAR :  Amid tight security, the 24th batch of pilgrims today left for the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas from here.
As many as 1,499 pilgrims, including 997 men, 387 women and 13 children, left from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu in a cavalcade of 45 vehicles at 4:15 AM, police said.
The convoy has already crossed Patnitop on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and would reach their destinations at Baltal and Pahalgam base camps by this evening, they said.
With today’s batch, a total of 43,911 pilgrims have so far left from the Jammu base camp for the Amarnath shrine.
Meanwhile fresh batches of pilgrims left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps for holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where so far 2.84 lakh pilgrim had paid obeisance since the commencement of the 45-day-long annual yatra from June 28.
Yatra officials said the weather was pleasant and fresh batch of pilgrim, including women and sadhus left Baltal this morning for the holy cave.
Pilgrims who had night halt at cave shrine after having darshan of the self-made Ice-Lingam also started their return journey to base camp.
Similarly, fresh batch of pilgrims left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on this traditional route this morning. Pilgrims, who had night halt at Chandanwari and other halting station on the track have also started their onward journey towards the cave shrine.
Officials said more than 7,200 devotees paid obeisance before the Ice Lingam yesterday.
With this, a total of 2.84 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy cave since the commencement of yatra.    Majority of pilgrims have since return to their homes after the darshan. However, some of them extended their stay and visited different tourist destinations in the Valley.
An unidentified Amarnath yatri died at Baltal base camp, taking the toll to 33 so far since the commencement of the 45-year-long annual yatra from June 28.    A yatra official said the pilgrim died due to heart attack at Baltal base camp.
The deceased was being identified, he said. (AGENCIES)

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