Smallest batch of 1,227 yatris leaves for Amarnath

Jammu, Jul 7 (UNI) The smallest batch of 1,227 pilgrims today left for Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir amid curfew restrictions in the winter capital.

Escorted by security personnel, a caravan of 27 buses and eight LMVs carrying 1,227 pilgrims, including 310 women, 35 children and 134 Sadhus, proceeded for the shrine from Bhagwati Nagar base camp early morning, an official spokesman told UNI.

The two-month long pilgrimage from Amarnath shrine, which had commenced from Jammu on July 17, was not affected by the continued curfew restrictions since July 1.

The influx of pilgrims has, however, drastically decreased due to the on going protests in Jammu.

Since its commencement, the pilgrimage was suspended many times due to heavy rush of pilgrims at Baltal and Pahalgam base camps and bad weather.

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