Jammu: A fresh batch of more than 7,300 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here to join the annual Amarnath pilgrimage in the south Kashmir Himalayas on Thursday morning, officials said.
About 1.28 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine, located at a height of 3,880 metres, since the commencement of the 38-day annual yatra from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district on July 3, the officials said.
According to the officials, the ninth batch of 7,307 pilgrims — 5,534 men, 1,586 women, 25 children and 162 sadhus and sadhvis — left in 284 vehicles between 3:15 am and 3:58 am amid tight security.
While 3,081 pilgrims left in 137 vehicles for the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district, 4,226 pilgrims left in 147 vehicles via the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route in Anantnag district.
With this, a total of 62,788 pilgrims have departed from the Jammu base camp for the valley since July 2, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch.
The Bhagwati Nagar base camp has been placed under a multi-tier security cover in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives.
More than 4 lakh people have registered online for the pilgrimage so far. The yatra will conclude on August 9.
Last year, more than 5.10 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine, which houses a naturally formed ice lingam.
Chhari Mubarak taken to Pahalgam
On the auspicious occasion of Ashad Purnima, the saffron-robed silver mace of Lord Shiva, traditionally known as ‘Chhari Mubarak’, was ceremoniously taken to Pahalgam for the Bhoomi Pujan ritual, marking the formal commencement of the age-old traditions associated with the annual Amarnath Yatra.
Amid the chanting of Vedic hymns, a group of Sadhus led by Swami Mahant Deependra Giri took the Chhari Mubarak from its abode in Srinagar. The holy mace was then taken to Gauri Shankar Temple, Pahalgam, where the Bhoomi Pujan was performed with religious fervour.
The ceremony witnessed participation of a number of devotees reinforcing the composite cultural ethos of the region.
The Chhari Mubarak will continue its traditional journey as per the religious calendar, culminating in the final darshan at the holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji.