Eighth Batch of Pilgrims Leaves for Amarnath

More than 82000 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy Amarnath cave shrine with eighth batch comprising of 2820 pilgrims leaving for the shrine today from Jammu, said media reports.

Of the 2820 pilgrims, 2137 are males, 409 females, 49 children and 225 sadhus, who left in a convoy of 84 vehicles, reports said.

So far over 21000 pilgrims have left for the shrine from Jammu base camp in last five days.

According to reports, the yatra is going on smoothly and all arrangements, including security, are in place to ensure smooth yatra via twin tracks from Pahalagam-Amarnath and Baltal-Amarnath.

The CRPF has deployed 50 companies comprising 6,250 men and officers while the Army has set up 97 area domination posts in and around the cave shrine in Lidder Valley, besides Pahalgam and along the route in Anantnag, Ramban and Udhampur Districts, said reports.

The Amarnath cave shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the main shrine is claimed to be over 5,000-years-old.

(Based on internet reports)