Fresh batch of 5,815 yatris leaves for Amarnath

Jammu, July 19 (UNI) A fresh batch of 5,815 pilgrims today left for the holy Amarnath cave while 5213 yatris performed 'darshan' and offered 'puja' of the holy mace (icelingam) of Lord Shiva in the cave shrine.

Tufail Mantoo, the deputy Chief Executive Officer of Amarnath Shrine Board, while talking to UNI said a total of 5815 pilgrims, including 2769, from Pahalgam base camp, 1480 from Jammu base camp and 1237 from Baltal base camp left for Amarnath shrine while 329 devotees were air lifted.

''More than 2,40,000 devotees have performed pooja and darshan of the Icelingam till last evening since the holy yatra commenced,'' Mr Mantoo added.

He said around 1,43,000 devotees visited the cave shrine through Pahalgam route while more 98,000 pilgrims through the Baltal route till this afternoon.

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