2,883 pilgrims leave for Amarnath shrine

Jammu, June 23 : A fresh batch of 2,883 pilgrims left for the Amarnath cave shrine here today.

According to official sources, the devotees, including more than 178 hermits, left in a convoy of 112 vehicles from the base camp at Bhagwati Nagar early this morning.

The pilgrimage was suspended on June 20 due to bad weather.

The total number of pilgrims who left the base camp for shrine has reached 17,636 since it began on June 17.

The two-month long yatra will conclude on August 16.

Security forces have been on a high alert along the entire route of the Amarnath yatra to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.

The security setup consists of area domination and setting up of mountain posts by Army, deployments of CRPF and mobile patrolling by armed police.

Every year, a large number of devotees trek the steep, slippery 48-kilometres route to reach the Amarnath cave shrine, which stands at a height of nearly 12,500 feet above sea level.

ANI