Srinagar: A small batch of yatris left Baltal base camp on Wednesday for the holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where so far, 2,83,521 pilgrims have paid obeisance since the commencement of the 60-day-long pilgrimage from June 28.

Chhari Mubarak, holy Mace of Lord Shiva, accompanied by pilgrims, including sadhus left Pahalgam for next halting station of Chandanwari. The Mace on way to holy cave will have night halt there before starting onward journey.

On the 55th day of the yatra on Tuesday, 381 yatris had paid obeisance at the holy cave.

Over 50 pilgrims, who had night halt at nearby halting stations, have paid obeisance since early this morning.

A small batch of pilgrims left Baltal base camp for the holy cave as the weather remained pleasant. The yatris are scheduled to reach the shrine this afternoon after completing the 14-km-long hilly track on foot.

Pilgrims, who paid obeisance yesterday, have started their return journey towards the base camp.

UNI