Less than 1000 pilgrims leave for holy Amarnath cave

Srinagar, Aug 5 (UNI) Strike and curfew restrictions in Jammu affected the Amarnath pilgrims as less than 1000 yatris left Baltal and Pahalgam base camps for the holy cave today.

A yatra official told UNI over the phone from Balta, the shortest route to the cave shrine, that only 265 pilgrims left the base camp this morning for the cave.

He said yatris who had performed puja in the shrine this morning are on their way back to base camp.

An official from Nunwan-Pahalgam base camp said 601 pilgrims, including 132 sadhus, 20 children and 138 female left the camp this morning through traditional route.

It will take them three to four days to reach the shrine, he said adding similarly those who are at different halting station after having darshan are on their way back to base camp.

More than five lakh pilgrims had darshan of the self-made ice lingam since the commencement of the yatra from June 18. The last darshan will be on Rakshabandan.

UNI BAS PD BST1443