Tuesday 12th May, 2026
Srinagar, Jul 18: Fresh batches of pilgrims on Thursday left Nunwan Pahalgam and Baltal base camps for holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where 2.20 lakh yatries had paid obeisance since the commencement of the annual pilgrimage from July Ist.
Though the sky was cloudy in the morning the yatra was progressing smoothly from both traditional Pahalgam and shortest Baltal tracks, a yatra official told UNI today.
Meanwhile, 4167 pilgrims, including women and sadhus left Baghwati Nagar, Jammu base camp for Baltal and Nunwan camps under unprecedented security arrangements.
He said fresh batch of pilgrims, including women, children and sadhus left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on traditional yatra track. Meanwhile, the pilgrims who had night halt at different station, including Chandanwari, left for next stations early this morning.
He said fresh batch of pilgrims also left Baltal base camp for the holy cave early this morning. The pilgrims, including women, children and sadhus will reach the holy cave after covering the distance on foot, he said. Helicopter service is also operating normally from both sides. He said majority pilgrims, even those who are undertaking the pilgrimage via Pahalgam are returning through Baltal route.
He said on the 17 day of the pilgrimage, 13,928 pilgrims, including women, sadhus and sadhives, paid obeisance at the cave shrine since Wednesday.Since early this morning pilgrims who had night halt at nearby halting stations are paying obeisance at the cave shrine. A total of about 1.20 lakh pilgrims had darshan of the self made Ice-Shivlingam at the cave shrine.