SRINAGAR: The tenth batch of 9,182 pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu early on Saturday for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, officials said.
The pilgrims, travelling under tight security arrangements, left in separate escorted convoys for the twin base camps at Nunwan-Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district.
According to officials, the batch comprises 2,435 women, 256 sadhus, 46 sadhvis and 31 children. Of the total, 5,877 pilgrims are travelling to the Pahalgam base camp in 206 vehicles, while 3,305 pilgrims have opted for the shorter Baltal route in 127 vehicles.
Officials said the annual pilgrimage has witnessed a strong turnout this year, with more than two lakh devotees having paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine so far.
The 57-day Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra commenced simultaneously from the Pahalgam and Baltal routes on July 3 and is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.
