JAMMU, Aug 3, 2013: As pilgrimage to holy cave shrine of Amarnath Ji in South Kashmir Himalayas of Anantnag district entered into 37th day, as many as 2042 pilgrims performed darshan at the shrine today.
A total of 3.45 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance to Lord Shiva during this year’s annual pilgrimage so far. The 55-days long yatra would conclude on August 21 coinciding with Sharavan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
The pilgrimage was going on smoothly as a new batch of 1344 yatris, including women and Sadhus left Baltal and Nunwan, Pahalgam base camps for the holy cave this morning.
The weather was pleasant and the yatra was continuing smoothly, official sources said.
They said 622 pilgrims left Baltal base camp early this  morning for the holy cave.
Similarly, 722 pilgrims including Sadhus and women left Nunwan, Pahalgam base camp for the cave shrine early this morning.
The pilgrims, who had night halt at Chandanwari and other halting stations on the traditional route, also started their foot journey towards the shrine this morning.
Meanwhile, a small batch of 204 pilgrims left the Jammu base camp today for the holy cave shrine of Amarnath Ji.
A convoy of six vehicles carrying the 38th batch of 204 devotees left the Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar around 5 am to pay obeisance at the holy shrine, sources said.
The batch comprised 115 men, 15 women and 74 Sadhus. They reached the twin base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal tonight, sources added.

Source: Daily Excelsior, DT. August 3, 2013.