Jammu Desk, Delhi Magazine: — A new group of 3,471 pilgrims embarked on their journey to the Amarnath cave shrine from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu early Saturday morning.
Officials reported that the 23rd batch, comprising 3,471 pilgrims in 114 vehicles, departed at 3 AM. The group included 654 women, 93 sadhus, and 34 sadhvis. Security for the pilgrimage was provided by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Of the total pilgrims, 2,398 will take the traditional 48-kilometer route through Pahalgam in Anantnag district, while the remaining 1,073 will use the shorter but more challenging 14-kilometer Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
The Amarnath Yatra, which began on June 29 this year, will continue until August 19. To date, more than 3.75 lakh pilgrims have visited the sacred Baba Barfani at the cave shrine.