A batch of 2,922 pilgrims left Jammu on Sunday for the cave shrine in the Kashmir Vally, police said. Since it started on June 28, more that 1,76,000 pilgrims have already performed the annula pilgriage.
Two escorted convoy of 121 vehicles carrying the 2,922 Yatris left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here for the Valley, the police said.
Of these, 1,442 are heading to the Baltal base camp while the 1,480 others are going to the Pahalgam base camp. The pilgrimage will end on August 26 coincideing with the Shravan Purnima festival.
Devotees offer prayers inside the Himalayan Cave Shrine that houses an ice stalagmite structure that wane3s and waxes with the phases of the moon.
Devotees believe the ice stalagmite structure symbolises mythical power of Lord Shiva.
