2396 pilgrims leave for Amarnath, one lakh perfrom darshan

Jammu, June 23 (UNI) More than one lakh pilgrims have performed darshan on ice lingam of Lord Shiva at the holy shrine of Amarnath cave within the first 12 days.

A spokesman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) said the number of pilgrims, who paid obeisance to Amarnath shrine crossed one lakh yesterday.

About 1.24 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine till last evening.

Surprisingly, the number of yatris visiting the holy cave from the tougher but shorter 16 km Baltal track was more than Pahalgam track.

During first 12 days of yatra, more than 55,000 pilgrims took the Baltal route to reach Amarnath and offer prayers to Lord Shiva while about 50,000 yatris reached the cave shrine from Pahalgam route, the spokesman said.

Meanwhile 2396 pilgrims left Jammu for the two base camps this morning, amid tight security. A fresh batch comprising 1698 men, 506 women, 53 children and 139 sadhus left from Jammu base camp of MAM stadium.

The pilgrims left in a fleet of 94 vehicles, 48 buses ans 46 light motor vehicles, from the stadium at 0500 hrs today.

Uni HGV LS VD RS1553