Jammu, July 9 : A batch of 8,150 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here for the Amarnath cave shrine in Kashmir on Thursday, amid tight security, officials said.
With this, a total of 52,816 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for Kashmir since the yatra commenced on July 2, the officials said.
Thursday’s batch comprised 6,095 men, 2,037 women, 15 children and three transgender persons.
The pilgrims left in two groups. While 3,445 pilgrims left for the Baltal base camp in 168 vehicles, 4,705 pilgrims proceeded towards the traditional Pahalgam route in 166 vehicles. They were escorted by personnel from Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force and other security agencies, the officials said.
More than 1.45 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high shrine of Lord Shiva so far this year.
The 57-day pilgrimage will conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan. ( PTI )
