Jammu, July 19: More than 365,000 pilgrims have participated in the annual Amarnath Yatra, with an additional 4,821 Yatris departing for Kashmir on Friday. Since commencing on June 29th, these pilgrims have visited the holy cave shrine to have 'darshan'. On Thursday alone, over 14,000 pilgrims arrived via both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes to pay their respects.
Early Friday morning, a convoy of 4,821 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu. This included 1,731 pilgrims heading towards the North Kashmir Baltal base camp and 3,090 towards the South Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp. The convoys, escorted by officials, are expected to arrive in the Valley by noon for their onward journey to the respective camps.
The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure believed to symbolize the mythical powers of Lord Shiva, which waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon.
