Srinagar: Fresh batches of pilgrims left base camps on Tuesday for the holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where so far 2.63 lakh yatris have paid obeisance since the commencement of the 60-day-long pilgrimage from June 28.

Weather is pleasant and pilgrimage was progressing smoothly from the shortest and traditional Pahalgam tracks, official sources told UNI.

It will conclude on August 28 when the Chhari-Mubarak, silver Mace of Lord Shiva will be taken inside the cave shrine.

Over 500 pilgrims, who had night halt at different camps, paid obeisance at the cave shrine since early this morning. With this, a total of 2.63 lakh pilgrims had darshan of the self made Ice-Shivlingam at the cave shrine so far. On the 33rd day of the ongoing Yatra, as many as 3,827 yatris paid obeisance at the Holy Cave on Monday from the shortest Baltal and traditional Pahalgam tracks.

A fresh batch of pilgrims , including women and sadhus, left Baltal base camp for the holy cave shrine early this morning despite cloudy weather, official sources told UNI. They said the yatris started their journey on foot towards the cave shrine early this morning. The pilgrims, after covering the 14-km-long hilly track, are expected to reach the holy cave in the afternoon to pay obeisance. The pilgrims who had night halt at the cave shrine after darshan, have also started their return journey towards Baltal base camp.

Similarly, a fresh batch left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for first halting station at Chandanwari on the traditional track, connected by road. However, majority of the pilgrims continued their journey towards the next halting station, they said. Yatris, who had night halt at Chandanwari, also left for next station early this morning.