Another batch of Amarnath yatris reaches Valley as yatra resumes

Jammu, July 20: The annual Amarnath Yatra resumed on Wednesday as another batch of pilgrims was allowed from winter capital Jammu to move to the Valley late on Tuesday evening.

A senior police officer told IANS in Jammu, "A batch of 2,500 yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu yesterday (Tuesday) evening for the Valley."

"The yeatris left in a convoy escorted by the security forces and reached the base camp in the Valley safely."

Officials of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) said so far over 1,85,000 pilgrims have performed this year's yatra.

"Charri Mubarak (lord Shiva's mace) reached the Pahalgam base camp yesterday."

"After the traditional puja at Pahalgam, the Charri Mubarak will move through Chandanwari, Pissu Top, Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach finally to cave shrine."

The 48-day-long yatra started on July 2 and will end on August 17, coinciding with Shravan Purnima at Raksha Bandhan Festival.

Twelve yatris have died of natural causes during this year's yatra.

IANS