In Jammu and Kashmir, amid tight security arrangements, the 26th batch of over 2100 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. With this, till now, 1,36,420 pilgrims have departed the Jammu base camp for the Kashmir Valley since June 30.

Amarnath Yatra has registered over 3.69 lakh record-breaking number of pilgrims who visited the Cave Shrine, which is much higher than the last year's total of 3,65,721 pilgrims. 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 1st July and is scheduled to conclude on 31st 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.