Jammu, Aug 02: The 24th batch of 837 pilgrims left here today for the holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva at Amarnath despite heavy rains and amid tight security, official sources said here today. The pilgrims, comprising 599 men, 152 women, 6 children and 80 Sadhus left in a cavalcade of 48 vehicles from Mam stadium this morning, the sources said. Despite heavy rains lashing Jammu, authorities allowed Yatris to proceed toward Amarnath as the National Highway was open for vehicular traffic. With today's batch 68,066 pilgrims have left for the cave shrine from Jammu during 24 days of the Yatra, the sources said. So far, 1.39 lakh devotees have had darshan of ice Lingum of Lord Shiva at Amarnath, they said adding 1.30 lakh of them had left for their homes across the country after darshan.

Bureau Report