Batch of 1,503 pilgrims leaves for Amarnath

A new batch of 1,503 pilgrims left Jammu today for their onward journey to the cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas.

Comprising 915 men, 307 women, 51 children and 230 sadhus, the 31st batch left from the base camp at Bhagwati Nagar here in a fleet of 45 vehicles at 10.45am, officials said.

The pilgrims are expected to reach their respective destinations of Baltal and Nunwan in Pahalgam base camps by the evening, they said, adding from these camps they will undertake their onward journey by foot to the cave shrine tomorrow.

With today's batch, as many as 74,980 pilgrims have left from Jammu to perform darshan of the Ice Lingam at the 3,880m high cave shine.