SRINAGAR, July 23, 2013: A new batch of more than 3,500 pilgrims, including sadhus and women, today left from base camp Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam for Holy Amarnath Cave shrine in south Kashmir Himlayas, where the yatra was going on smoothly.
More than three lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the Holy cave shrine since the commencement of 55-day-long yatra from June 28.
Nine pilgrims have also lost their lives so far, mostly due to health problem during the pilgrimage.
A yatra official said 2,244 pilgrims, including 432 women and five sadhus, left Baltal base camp for the holy cave early this  morning.
He said 1,324 pilgrims also left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for next halting station Chandanwari on traditional route.
They included 248 women and 78 sadhus, the official said,  adding
the yatra who had night halt at different stations resumed their onward journey.
Chharri-Mubarak, the holy silver mace of lord Shiva which was taken to Pahalgam yesterday for Bhoomi Punjan and Dhwajardhan’ on the occasion of ‘Vyas- Punirma’ returned to  Dashnami Akhara in the night.

Source: Daily Excelsior, DT. July 23, 2013.