Srinagar: Fresh batches of pilgrims, including women and sadhus, on Sunday left for the holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where 1.76 lakh yatris have paid obeisance so far since the commencement of the 60-day-long annual pilgrimage from June 28.

However, during the pilgrimage, 22 pilgrims died due to health reasons and accidents and landslides during the yatra.

The annual yatra is progressing smoothly from shortest Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps and the weather is pleasant, official sources told UNI.

They said about 11,200 yatris paid obeisance at the holy cave during the past 24 hours. With this, a total of 1,76,200 pilgrims had ‘darshan’ of the self made Ice-Shivlingam at the cave shrine, situated at 14,000 feet above sea level. Since early this morning more pilgrims, including women and sadhus, are arriving from nearby halting stations to pay obeisance at the cave shrine.

They said a fresh batch of yatris left Baltal early Sunday morning for the cave shrine. The yatris are scheduled to reach the cave shrine in the afternoon after covering the 14-km-long hilly track on foot.

Meanwhile, pilgrims who had darshan yesterday, have also started their return journey to base camp since early this morning.

Source said a fresh batch of pilgrims also left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on traditional route.

Meanwhile, pilgrims who had night halt at Chandanwari and other halting stations on the track have also started their journey towards the cave shrine since early this morning.