Srinagar:  ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Bam Bam Bolay’ rented in the air when fresh batches of pilgrims left base camps on Sunday to undertake annual pilgrimage to holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where so far 2.60 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance since the commencement of the yatra from July Ist.

Yatra from both shortest Baltal and traditional Pahalgam tracks was progressing smoothly and weather was also pleasant, a yatra official told UNI.

He said 20915 pilgrims, including women, Sadhus and Sadhvis besides children, highest in one-day had darshan of the self made Ice-Shivalingam at the cave shrine on Saturday. The earlier highest in a single day was on July 13 when 16,916 paid obeisance.

However, for security reasons yatra from Jammu to Kashmir was suspended following strike called by separatists on the death anniversary of 22 martyrs who were killed by police on July 13, 1931 outside the central Jail, Srinagar during Dogra rule in the state.

Fresh batches of pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, for Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camp under unprecedented security arrangements early this morning.

Chanting Har Har Mahadev and Bam Bam Bolay, fresh batch of pilgrims left Baltal base camp for the holy cave shrine. Pilgrims are scheduled to reach the cave shrine this afternoon after covering the entire hilly distance on foot.

Meanwhile, pilgrims who had darshan at the cave shrine on Saturday have started their return journey towards Baltal base camp.

He said fresh batch of pilgrims also left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional route. After night halt there, pilgrims will leave for next halting station on foot tomorrow.

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

Since this morning pilgrims, who had night halt at nearby station are reaching cave shrine to pay obeisance .

So far 2.60 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance at the cave shrine where the annual Yatra will conclude on Augus 15.