In Jammu and Kashmir, amid tight security arrangements, the 28th batch of over 1500 pilgrims left for the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, Jammu early morning today for the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam in Kashmir. Akashvani Jammu Correspondent reports that a total of 1550 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp, Jammu for Kashmir valley in a cavalcade of 66 vehicles under tight security arrangements. Among them, 482 pilgrims preferred the shortest Baltal track while 1068 opted for the traditional and longest Nunwan-Pahalgam route. With this, 1,41,994 pilgrims have now departed the Jammu base camp for the Kashmir Valley since June 30.
 
Shri Amarnathji Yatra registered over 3.91 lakh record breaking number of pilgrims who visited the Holy Cave Shrine which is comparatively much higher than the previous year number at the same time signalling a significant increase in the number of devotees undertaking the holy pilgrimage. Worth to mention, so far, a total of 3,91,000 pilgrims have visited the Amarnath Cave Shrine since July 1.
 
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 on July 1 and is scheduled to conclude on August 31 on Shravan Purnima with Raksha Bandhan festival.  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.