In Jammu and Kashmir, 30th batch of over 1,000 pilgrims left for the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, Jammu early this morning for the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam in Kashmir. A total of 1,006 pilgrims including 749 Male, 215 Female, 2 Children, 37 Sadhus and 3 Sadhvis left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp, Jammu for Kashmir valley in a cavalcade of 45 vehicles under tight security arrangements. 

Among them, 382 pilgrims preferred the shortest Baltal track, while 624 opted for the traditional and longest Nunwan-Pahalgam route. Shri Amarnathji Yatra registered over 3.97 lakh record number of pilgrims who visited the Holy Cave Shrine. This is much higher than the previous year's number at the same time signalling a significant increase in the number of devotees undertaking the holy pilgrimage. So far, a total of 3 lakh 97 thousand 272 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.