This Article is From Aug 18, 2013

Last batch of Amarnath pilgrims to leave base camp tomorrow

Last batch of Amarnath pilgrims to leave base camp tomorrow

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The last batch of Amarnath pilgrims to the holy cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas will start from the Nunwan base camp on Monday, subject to favourable weather conditions.

"Subject to fair weather conditions, the last batch of yatris from the Pahalgam Route shall be allowed to cross the Chandanwari access control gate up to 11 am tomorrow," PP Singh, Additional Chief Executive Officer of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), said in a statement.

He said the last batch of yatris from the shorter Baltal route shall be allowed to cross the access control gate at Domel up to 9 am on the last day of the yatra on Wednesday.

"However, the yatris who prefer to travel by helicopters to Panjtarni shall be allowed to take heli-flights up to 9 am on August 21 from the Baltal and Pahalgam heli bases," he added.

The annual Amarnath yatra began on June 28 this year and so far over 3.50 lakh pilgrims have performed darshan of the naturally formed ice-lingam of Lord Shiva in the 3880-metre high cave shrine.

The yatra will conclude on August 21, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival.

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