In Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Amarnathji Yatra registered a record number over 3.17 lakh of pilgrims who visited the Holy Cave Shrine just within twenty-one days which is comparatively much higher than the previous year number at the same time. The number of visitors will cross half a million mark next month, said officials. Akashvani Jammu Correspondent reports that amid tight security arrangements, the 21st batch of over 3600 pilgrims left for the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, Jammu early morning on 23rd July 2023 for the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam in Kashmir. A total of 3691 pilgrims including 2700 Males, 874 Females, 23 Children, 64 Sadhus, and 28 Sadhvis left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp, Jammu for Kashmir valley in a cavalcade of 141 vehicles under tight security arrangements. Among them, 1488 pilgrims preferred the shortest Baltal track while 2203 opted for the traditional and longest Nunwan-Pahalgam route. With this, 1,24,020 pilgrims have now departed the Jammu base camp for the Kashmir Valley since June 30. So far, a total of 3,17,125 pilgrims have visited the Amarnath Cave Shrine since the 1st 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 on the 1st of July and is scheduled to conclude on the 31st of August 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.