In Jammu and Kashmir, the 16th batch of 6225 pilgrims left for the holy cave shrine of Amarnath from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, Jammu early morning today for the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam in Kashmir amid tight security arrangements.
 
This includes 4335 men, 1748 women, 25 Children, 105 Sadhus and 13 Sadhvis in a cavalcade of 217 vehicles. 2511 pilgrims preferred the shortest Baltal track, while 3714 opted for the traditional and longest Nunwan-Pahalgam route. With this, 99, 242 pilgrims have till now departed the Jammu base camp for the Kashmir Valley since June 30. So far, a total of 2,51,438 pilgrims have visited the Amarnath Cave Shrine since the first of July.
 
The 62 day annual pilgrimage to the 3,888 metre high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district and is scheduled to conclude on the 31st of August. The Yatra is progressing smoothly, with devotees from across the country thronging the base camps to have a glimpse of the naturally formed Ice-Shivlingam and offer their prayers.