A fresh batch of over 3,048 pilgrims left Jammu for the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas on Saturday.
The 60-day yatra commenced from the twin routes of Baltal in Ganderbal and Pahalgam in Anantnag districts on June 28.
A Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) official said over 1,65,000 pilgrims have so far performed the pilgrimage that started on June 28.
The fresh batch includes 623 women and 144 sadhus. They left Jammu in 112 vehicles for the twin base camps in the Valley under tight security in the wee hours, a police official said.
He said while 1,973 pilgrims, including 310 women and 144 sadhus, were heading for the Nunwan base camp along the 36-km Pahalgam track, 1,075 yatries have opted the shortest 12-km Baltal route. They will be reaching the base camp later in the day.
The Muslim community living along the pilgrimage route in their centuries-old tradition continue to support the pilgrim by acting as helpers, ‘ponywallahs’ or even setting up roadside tea-stalls.
The yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 26coinciding with ‘Raksha Bandhan’ festival.
(With agency inputs)